109.0 x 48.0 x 29.5cm A Bodhisattva is one who has achieved
enlightenment but who chooses to stay on this earth to bring
salvation to suffering mankind. Bodhisattvas, usually
bejewelled, are seen alone, or flanking a Buddha figure. This
figure stands in the classic 'tribhanga' (triple bend) pose, the
upper front part of his body naked except for the scarf and
jewels around his neck, the lower half covered by a dhoti that
clings to the thighs in concentric ridges. The right hand holds
part of his scarf while the left, raised, is broken at the
wrist. Like many of these figures, this one has not survived
intact, and his head and feet are also missing. A distinctive
feature of this Bodhisattva is the carved curls of hair on the
shoulders. While the naturalism of this figure is derived from
Indian influences, never in Chinese sculpture does one see
anything of the unbridled sensuality typical of much Indian
sculpture. With both the Buddhist writings and images, the
Chinese interpreted them in their own cultural te