Mogao Cave 327: Apsaras

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Western Xia period

Cave 327 is located on the northern section of the south area. The main chamber has a truncated pyramidal ceiling. There is a niche in the back (west) wall with statues of seven Buddhas and four Bodhisattvas from the Western Xia period (1032–1227), and two Bodhisattvas from the Tang dynasty (618–907). The north and south walls are covered with Thousand Buddha images and paintings of treasure offerings.
This detail is found on the left side of the east slope of the truncated pyramidal ceiling within the main chamber. The two apsaras wear headdresses, necklaces, armlets, and bracelets. Long red stoles are looped through their arms and trail behind them, and their red lower garments flutter in the wind. The clothing is painted using a three-dimensional shading technique. One apsara holds a flower basket and the other holds a harp. Below the figures are swirling clouds painted in alternating colors of red, black, and white.