Jianzhong Temple: Pair of Maitreya Buddhas

CHINA, Hebei, Shijiazhuang; Northern Qi dynasty

The sculpture was unearthed from Shijiazhuang. An inscription located on the side of the sculpture dates it to 562, and states that the nun Yuandu from Jianzhong Temple and her disciples commissioned this work. It depicts two symmetrical Buddhas seated at the center. Both are in the relaxation posture on a Sumeru throne with one pendent foot supported by attendants below. They are united by a single petal shaped mandorla and flanked by disciples and Bodhisattvas. Trees encoiled by dragons rise on either side and arch above in an openwork design populated by seated Buddhas and apsaras. A pagoda supported by apsaras is at the apex of the mandorla, and a mountain censer supported by worshippers and guarded by lions and warriors is on the base of the sculpture.
There are five niches on the reverse side of the base with a standing Buddha in the middle, flanked by the Four Heavenly Kings. A pair of Bodhisattvas is seated on the Sumeru throne above the niches. The contemplative Maitreya with his right ankle crossed on his knee and his cheek leaning on a hand is one of the seated figures. Two more Bodhisattvas stand on either side. Apsaras bearing a mountain censer aloft are above the seated figures.