Mogao Cave 17: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Mogao Cave 17: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties
This early 10th century painting, done in silver lines on red woven silk, was found in Mogao Cave 17. Silk paintings made during this time period usually have pictures on both sides. However, this artwork was mounted on paper during restoration, leaving only one side visible. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva stands with joined palms, wearing a headdress decorated with ribbons and a Buddha image. The body is adorned with a flowing stole and ornaments. An inscription within a cartouche next to the nimbus reads “na mo guan yin pu sa” (Homage to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva). There appears to be a lotus pedestal above Avalokitesvara’s nimbus, suggesting that this picture might once have been part of a larger painting.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting I-O, page 550.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting I-O},
pages = 550,
title = {{Mogao Cave 17: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva}},
volume = 15,
year = {2016}}