SculptureChinese6th century

Flying Apsaras Holding an Alms Bowl

534-550

Description

Flying divinity facing proper left with trailing scarves. In his right hand he holds a circular bowl; his left hand is raised at chin level, palm outward. Low sandstone relief from the ceiling of cave 2 (west panel) at Tianlongshan, Shanxi province.

Classification

Sculpture

Medium

Sandstone; from Tianlongshan Cave 2, near Taiyuan, Shanxi province

Culture

Chinese

Period

Eastern Wei, 534-550

Century

6th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

75.5 x 70.2 cm (29 3/4 x 27 5/8 in.)

Provenance

Grenville L. Winthrop, New York (by 1943), bequest; to Fogg Art Museum, 1943.

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