Seated Buddha

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

The Buddha is seated cross-legged with hands in the dhyana (meditation) mudra. There is large swirl in the center of the figure’s hair and usnisa. The mandorla behind the Buddha encloses a triple-rimmed aureole that joins to a nimbus formed of concentric circles. A lotus is immediately behind the head and the largest of the interior bands beyond is filled with incised wave patterns. The stylized flames within the mandorla surround the nimbus, beyond that is an outer rim filled with six figures, four apsaras, and two devotees. The two apsaras at the top support a canopy.
The work is mounted on a Sumeru throne on top of a four-legged stand. Inscriptions carved on the stand legs date the statue to 501, and state the piece was dedicated by Pugui for his deceased brother, Huiyao.