Buddha Triad

Northern Wei
Datong City Museum

A seated Buddha displays abhaya mudra between Avalokiteshvara (right, with water bottle) and another Bodhisattva. The style of these figures is distinguished by rectangular-shaped heads and "fan-spread" robes (see: Longmen Caves); this style went on to influence Buddhist sculpture in Asuka Japan. The Buddha's chest is decorated with a swastika. The figures, supported by telamons, appear within a shallow niche that depicts a temple hall with dougong.

The piece is unfinished; the rough outline of a donor pair appears on the base.