Mogao Cave 17: Manjusri Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty to Five Dynasties

This painting was completed during the 9th to 10th century. The central figure sits on the back of a white lion, indicating a depiction of Manjusri Bodhisattva. Manjusri displays a mudra with the left hand, and the right hand rests on the knee. The crowned Bodhisattva has black hair, partly tied in a topknot, and partly draped in braids over the shoulders. Ornaments, stoles, and a dhoti cover the body.
The lion, standing upon lotus pedestals, looks backwards with its eyes wide and mouth open. There are diamond-patterned stripes in various colors containing golden flowers at the bottom of the picture, and a blank cartouche in the upper left corner. The colors of the painting have faded slightly but the details are still clear.