Seonsan: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Gumi; Unified Silla dynasty

The statue was discovered at Seonsan in 1967, and was listed as National Treasure No. 184 in 1976. A standing Buddha, listed as National Treasure No. 182, and a second standing Bodhisattva statue listed as National Treasure No. 183 were found at the same time.
Avalokitesvara’s crown has a seated Buddha in front. The slim-waisted Bodhisattva wears many other exquisite and extravagant ornaments based upon contemporary Chinese styles. The figure’s hair is parted into braids and falls to the shoulders. A cape is worn and a stole descends from it to fall to the ground on the right side. The skirt is folded over and tied at the back with a long sash. The raised left hand may once have held an attribute while the right hand steadies the loop of a long neck ornament. The statue shows obvious influence from the Sui dynasty (581–618) and Early Tang period (618–712) of China.