This is a stone sculpture of the head of a Bodhisattva. Peacefully gazing downwards, the figure has a serene facial expression, radiating an approachable and amiable aura. His crown bears...
This is a stone sculpture of the head of a Bodhisattva. Peacefully gazing downwards, the figure has a serene facial expression, radiating an approachable and amiable aura. His crown bears a number of important Buddhist iconographic symbols, including halos, bodhi tree, and lotus flower.
Hints of red suggests previous gilding of ferrous mineral paint, while traces of gold shows that the flesh parts were painted with gold. It is a showcase of splendid craftsmanship, which achieves a sense of three-dimensional perspective through intelligent carving, emphasizing the differences between background and foreground.
The figure's facial features are still largely influenced by Northern Dynasties style, as reflected by its concentrated distribution and its elegant and relatively small size. However, the practice of applying gold paint is prominent for Sui figures.