Zhucheng: Buddha Triad

CHINA, Shandong, Weifang; Northern Qi dynasty

This Buddha Triad was created during the Northern Qi dynasty. It was excavated in the Qingyun of Zhucheng in 1978.
The Buddha in the center stands on a lotus pedestal while performing the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. He wears an ornate headdress with ribbons hanging down on either side. A dhoti dresses the lower body and an outer garment covers the shoulders and drapes down past the feet. In addition to a collar necklace, there is a long beaded necklace that crosses at the abdomen, and subsequently falls down to the knees. The design of the jewelry and outer garment are believed to have derived from the style of the late Northern Wei dynasty (386–534).
The two flanking Bodhisattvas stand on lotus pedestals supported by lotus stems, though the one on the right is damaged. The nimbus has a flame pattern with a small medallion at the top, and the mandorla next to each figure has simple lines, while the outer part is in the shape of a lotus petal with a flame pattern.