Buddha Triad

CHINA; Northern Qi dynasty

According to an inscription on the back of the mandorla, this Buddha Triad was made in 552 during the Northern Qi dynasty.
The overall height of the piece is 20.4 cm and the height of the triad is 14.4 cm. The Buddha performs the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra with his right hand, and the varada (wish-granting) mudra with his left. He wears a robe that covers both shoulders and is draped over the left arm. Both attendant Bodhisattvas hold objects: the figure on the right holds a lotus stem, while the one on the left holds a jewel. They stand on lotus pedestals that are suspended in the air. The flame-patterned mandorla is quite elaborate, while the nimbus and the aureole of the Buddha consist of simple lines. The entire triad sculpture stands on a Sumeru base.