Seated Bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteśvara

This bodhisattva is probably another form of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteśvara. Although it lacks the Amitābha in the crown that would help to identify it more firmly, it holds a lotus and has a deer skin (krishnasara) worn on one shoulder (see #1). This bodhisattva also forms the gesture of generosity (varada mudrā) with their right hand.

This sculpture is adorned with beautiful inlaid semi-precious stone earrings. Notice that the gold of the face is a slightly different color than the rest of the sculpture. Gilding of sculptures was typically done by mixing gold and mercury, painting the mixture on the sculpture, and then heating it to evaporate the mercury, repeating the process for an even tone. In later periods the final stage of decoration involved carefully painting the deity’s face with “cold gold” paint, which appears more matte, and the hair with blue. Buddhas and bodhisattvas are described in texts as having deep blue-black hair.