Mogao Caves: Embroidery with Donors

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Wei dynasty

This embroidery was excavated from an area between Mogao Caves 125 and 126 in Dunhuang in 1965. It is believed that it was an offering by Yuanjia, the Prince of Guangyang, in 487 during the Northern Wei dynasty.
The original embroidery likely featured a central seated Buddha teaching the Dharma. Partial images of Bodhisattvas appear on the left, and figures making offerings previously stood below the Buddha on both the left and right sides; however, only the figures on the left are still visible. A monk wearing a robe is at the front, followed by four female figures bowing slightly and showing their devotion; they wear tall crowns and narrow-sleeve long robes with heart patterns.
The color combination of red, blue, and green threads on the yellow background makes the work distinctive. This embroidery is regarded as one of the earliest Buddhist embroideries.