Seated Buddha

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

The Buddha is seated on a square throne in half lotus position while the right hand is likely forming the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. The hair is smooth and leads to a domed usnisa. The folds of the monastic robe drape down the body with one end worn loosely over the Buddha’s right shoulder. A part of the robe is wrapped to form a sleeve about the left arm, where the fold is held securely in the left hand.
The mandorla that was behind the statue is missing. The front of the throne has a carved inset of an incense burner with worshippers on either side, flanked by crouching lions. The sides of the throne have carvings of donors and the back shows a meditating Buddha. There is also an inscription stating Feng Ai’ai dedicated the statue in 466.