Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

The Bodhisattva is standing astride a lotus pedestal, holding a long-stemmed lotus in one hand and the garment hem in the other. The hair is fixed into a large topknot and tied with ribbons whose ends fly outwards. The figure wears a lower garment and a stole that flares about the shoulders. The upper body is disproportionately long and this exaggeration is emphasized by the jewelry that crosses at the abdomen. The mandorla that encases the figure is petal-shaped and has stylized flames decorating the rim. Engraved on the back is a tree with a bird flying overhead while a Bodhisattva seated in contemplation is located beneath it. Three pairs of males and females stand in line at the bottom. Wu Daoxing dedicated the statue in 498 for his deceased parents and the spiritual welfare of his siblings according to an inscription found on the legs of the stand. The inscription also identifies the statue as Avalokitesvara.