Mogao Cave 332: Donors

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Yuan dynasty

These illustrations are on the north and south walls of the corridor. Two female donors are depicted on the north wall. They wear Mongolian headdresses and dark robes. A child in a green garment stands in front of them. All three join palms and carry lotuses. A servant follows behind them, also with palms joined. The distinct headdresses indicate these are Mongolian noblewomen of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). This type of headdress was worn by imperial concubines and the wives of ministers.
On the south wall are five male figures: three Mongolian noblemen and two servants. The five stand in half profile and in descending height from right to left. The nobleman at the front carries a long-handled censer and wears a cap, scarf, green robe, and boots. The two noblemen behind him are dressed similarly, while the servants wear brown robes. All four of them stand with palms joined.