Buddha Triad

CHINA; Tang dynasty

The sculpture depicts a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, each standing on a lotus pedestal within an arched niche. The Buddha wears a monastic robe with a low-hanging collar that reveals the inner garment. Both his hands are missing but were probably in the abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (wish-granting) mudras. The flanking Bodhisattvas have petal-shaped nimbuses and are ornately jeweled with stoles draping down their shoulders. The Bodhisattva on the left has palms cupped around a jewel while the other Bodhisattva carries an attribute. Both figures are turned inward.
Maitreya, the Buddha to come, is sculpted on the reverse side. The figure is seated with legs pendent and crossed at the ankles. The right hand is raised in the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra while the left holds beaded ornaments. The body is richly adorned. Carved in relief on either side of the niche are the twin dragon flower trees under which Maitreya will become enlightened. The image was commissioned by Wang Jian in 889 according to the inscription.