Guangzhai Temple Seven Jewel Tower Sculptures

CHINA, Shaanxi, Xi’an

The reliefs carved on the Seven Jewel Tower at Guangzhai Temple were created around 700, but they were removed to the Seven Jewel Tower at Baoqing Temple within a century. Only seven of the original 32 still remain in Xi’an while the rest found their way to the United States and Japan. The collections in Japan are listed as Important Cultural Properties.
The general format of these sculptures are a niche with a Buddha seated within, accompanied by two Bodhisattvas. The Bodhisattvas stand in the tribhanga posture, holding their attributes in the hand nearest to the Buddha.
The example shown here is of Maitreya, who sits with legs pendent and feet resting upon two lotus blooms. Next to his feet are two guardian lions. Maitreya wears a monastic robe that leaves the right shoulder bare and the damaged right hand was probably raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. There is a canopy with tassels hanging from the corners of the eaves on the lintel above, with apsaras on either side. The sculpture is dated to 724.