Mogao Cave 17: Eleven-Headed, Eight-Armed Avalokitesvara

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Song dynasty

This painting was discovered in Mogao Cave 17 and illustrates Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva sitting on a lotus throne beneath a canopy. The eleven heads are arranged in three rows: the bottom row shows the main head flanked by two other heads, and the top two rows are arranged with eight heads. Two raised hands hold a sun disc and a moon disc. The other hands hold Dharma implements or form mudras.
The Buddhas of the Ten Directions are painted in the upper corners. Sariputra and Subhuti, Heavenly Kings, Bodhisattvas, and Wisdom Kings sit or stand beside Avalokitesvara. All of the figures are identified by inscriptions within cartouches.
In the lower register, a central inscription is flanked by male and female donors. Loops of fabric for hanging the painting are attached to the top.