Mogao Cave 17: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties

Avalokitesvara sits on a lotus throne in the center of the picture. The Bodhisattva’s hair is tied in a topknot within a headdress adorned with an image of the Buddha. The nimbus surrounding the head is decorated with swirling colors. Two of the four hands form mudras. The other two hands hold up a sun disk containing a golden bird and a moon disk painted with a laurel tree. Two kneeling and two standing Bodhisattvas are partially visible beside Avalokitesvara. Akasagarbha Bodhisattva, painted on the upper right, is identified by an inscription within a cartouche. A large altar rests below the lotus throne of the central figure. In the lower register, below a patterned band, there are six kneeling figures representing the family that sponsored the painting.