Balawaste: Sakra

CHINA, Xinjiang, Hotan

Discovered in the historic site of Balawaste, this fragment depicts Sakra paying respect to the Buddha, whose aureole is partly visible on the far right. Sakra wears a golden crown, a necklace, earrings, armlets, and bracelets. There is an urna between the lowered eyes, which gaze upwards attentively. The palms are joined in reverence. On the back of the right hand, there is a small eye. A black stole hangs over the arms. The inner circle of the nimbus is black and adorned with flame patterns, while the outer bands are red and yellow. A pair of triangular gold wings are painted behind Sakra’s shoulders. The figure is outlined with red lines that are washed to give the figure a three-dimensional appearance.