Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Attendants

CHINA; Sui dynasty

Buddhist artwork during the Sui dynasty (581–618) was a combination of styles from the Northern Zhou (557–581) and Southern Dynasties (420–589). The bodies became slimmer as more emphasis was placed on the mandorla and stands. The main Bodhisattva in this piece is accompanied by a variety of figures. Avalokitesvara’s right and left hands make the abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (wish-granting) mudras. The figure is similar in appearance to a Buddha apart for the topknot with its descending stole. The nimbus is circular and contained within a petal shaped mandorla with a decorative outer border.
Two attendant Bodhisattvas stand on lotuses that sprout from either side of the four-legged base. A petal-shaped nimbus backs the Bodhisattvas. Two disciples are located on either side of the central figure, with hands in reverence and standing behind two warriors with hair that twists to a peak. Lions at the bottom gaze toward a mountain censer. An inscription on the statue states it was dedicated in 599 by a woman named Wangjia for her children and deceased father.