The picture shows a fragment of a stone mold.
The picture shows a fragment of a stone mold.
The picture shows a fragment of a stone mold.

Mold for Bodhisattva Relief

Location Karakorum

Dating 13th-14th cent.

Epoch Mongolian empire

Material Limestone

Technique Engraved

Type Excavation find

Description

This fragment belongs to a mold, a negative mould for the production of half reliefs. It shows a curved, loosely hanging arm and a hand swinging down. This gesture, known as lolahasta, is characteristic of bodhisattva depictions from the 12th to 14th century. Rich jewellery can be seen on the arm, as is usual for bodhisattvas. Next to the arm, the curved pleats of a dhoti, the usual leg dress for a bodhisattva, can be seen.

3D Visualisation

3D Model: C. Mackenzie / DAI

Images: H. Rohland / DAI

Literature

Hüttel, H.-G. (2005) ‘Model für die Relieffigur eines Bodhisattva’, in Dschingis Khan und seine Erben: Das Weltreich der Mongolen. München: Hirmer, p. 162.