Stele

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

This sculpture, based upon Hanwei steles is carved with a boldly featured Buddha seated in half lotus position and displaying the dhyana (meditation) mudra. Behind the smiling face is a circular nimbus carved with two rings of lotus petals. The figure’s monastic robes are more rudimentarily treated, except where his monastic robe covers the seat in neat and decorative pleats. The front paws of reclining dragons perched on either side of the mandorla frame the Buddha’s shoulders. The dragon’s heads nudges his elbows, adding a distinctive flare to the composition. Engraved at the back is an inscription stating the stele was dedicated by devotee Jie Baoming in the year 533.