Head of a Bodhisattva in the University of Pennsylvania Museum, November 2009

Head of a Bodhisattva
China, Henan Province
Stone
Thought to be 6th century AD

# C 354

A bodhisattva is a being who has attained enlightenment but has renounced the joys of Nirvana in order to help others find salvation. Traces of red and yellow pigment can be seen on this head which comes from a colossal statue. The urna, a marking on the forehead indicative of a supernatural being, is represented by a round socket which originally contained a precious stone or crystal sphere.

Text from the U. Penn. Museum label.