Yinchuan: Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

CHINA, Ningxia, Yinchuan; Yuan to Ming dynasty

The statue was discovered together with a companion piece of Manjusri in 1986. It depicts Samantabhadra seated in half lotus position on a lotus saddle, which is in turn mounted on the back of a crouching elephant.
The Bodhisattva wears a crown with sidepieces, from which ribbons undulate to the shoulders. The hands hold the stem of lotus that supports a sutra scroll. The robe is open at the front, revealing complex beaded jewelry. The garment has wide sleeves and a wide skirt below that overlaps the throne. The clothing, with its structured form, is reminiscent of the late Tibetan style. The elephant is also decorated with ornaments, and its floral saddle blanket is thickly embroidered with coiling dragons.