Attendant Bodhisattva

  • China, Northern Wei period
  • late 5th century
  • Sandstone
Catalogue Entry

This sandstone image represents a celestial being, kneeling in prayer. With a smile on its plump face, it looks cheerful by birth. The overall air of this work is quite similar to a style established at the Yungang Grottoes (in present-day Datong) city during the Northern Wei period (386-535). Sculpture at the Yungang Grottoes gradually became Chinese-like, partly because of the sinicization policy of the Northern Wei. This statue has both Chinese and Indian elements in that the robe is not only worn with both shoulders covered (Chinese style) but is rather thin (Indian style).