Vase on the Golden Throne

Viewing notes

A viewer's written impression — not a buyer review or first-hand record

This golden bodhisattva sits at the right of a matching set of three. Her tall crown is set with a red jewel, a white veil falling from it over the shoulders; eyes lowered, she sits in full lotus on a tiered golden lotus throne. Her right hand lifts a curved willow sprig while her left cradles a small golden vase at the lap; beaded ornaments layer across her chest, and a blue sash is tied at the waist beneath. The robe is polychrome on a red-orange ground, dense with floral roundels, a circular medallion at each knee. Behind her the aureole glitters wholly gold, its flaming edge rolling outward around winding dragons and clouds studded with tiny coloured inlays; the pedestal stacks tier upon tier of petals, scrollwork and beast feet. Standing alone it is already splendid and solemn; ranged with its companion pieces in a shrine, it completes a full chamber of golden light.