The Northern Wei dynasty was quick to adopt Buddhism, and the religion soon flourished within its domain. While the rulers established and generously patronized a large number of temples and grottoes, the Tuoba Xianbei also produced many small, personal-sized iconic images. These smaller images are more readily portable, a quality which may be a throwback to their origins as a once nomadic people.

This particular image is of Padmapani, the lotus blossom-bearing bodhisattva. Though Padmapani would later diminish in importance, during the fifth century he was regarded as an important deity in early Chinese Buddhism. The image possesses an inscription which offers further information regarding the circumstances of its creation. The inscription reads:

On the 50th day of the 7th month in the 9th year of Tai Ho, being cyclical year 1, Chou (485 CE), the Buddhist disciple Huizu respectfully made this statue in memory of my father, mother and family with good wishes.