Showing  1101 - 1125 of 3662 Records

Showing  1101 - 1125 of 3662 Records
Northern Xiangtangshan, North Cave, interior
  • Title Translation: 北响堂山北洞 , 内部
  • Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
  • Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
  • Work Description: The North Cave, also known as the Great Buddha Cave, is the largest and earliest of the Xiangtangshan caves. It has a masterful design that encompasses concepts of time and space in a Buddhist cosmology, and it can be associated with the founding of the Northern Qi dynasty. The facade is damaged from natural erosion and a severe earthquake in the sixteenth century. The entrance has been reconstructed of blocks of stone. There are traces of what appears to have been a domed roof at the top, above the three windows that provide light to the cave interior. Inside the cave there is a massive four-sided central pillar, into which the three principal Buddha images of colossal size, representing the Buddhas of the Three Ages—Past, Present, and Future—are carved. Each of the seated Buddhas is flanked by two standing bodhisattvas. Around the walls and at the top of the central pillar are smaller Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other divinities, including earth spirits, heavenly apsarases, and also demons vividly rendered in high relief. Deities and nature spirits from countless realms and ages of the cosmos are thus seen to be brought together by the power of the Dharma or Buddhist wisdom. The carving is masterful with figural sculptures, flaming haloes, and domed stupa-shaped niches surrounded by lotus blossoms, glowing jewels, and ornamental patterns, all worked and finished with great skill. There are small caves on either side of the North Cave courtyard. The one on the south side also appears to be of Northern Qi origin. The main images are now damaged or removed, and additional carvings were added to the east wall in the Song. The central Buddha figure, now headless is seated on a square Sumeru throne with a lotus flower base. Behind him, there is a large flaming aureole carved in relief. He was accompanied by six attendant figures, two of which were free-standing and are now missing. Traces of the other four figures still remain.
550 - 577

Northern Xiangtangshan, South Cave, east wall, north side, attendants
  • Title Translation: 北响堂山南洞 , 东壁、北侧、侍从
  • Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
  • Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
  • Work Description: The South Cave at Northern Xiangtangshan, like the Middle Cave, preserves its original stupa-form with domed roof and a porch in front. An additional small cave is carved into the dome. The main chamber is an open chamber space with images set around three walls. Each altar has a central Buddha surrounded by six standing figures including bodhisattvas, disciples and pratyekabuddhas. Smaller Buddhas appear in rows on the upper level of the cave. On the ceiling a large lotus blossom is carved in relief. The work on the cave appears to have been begun, then interrupted, and resumed later by different craftsmen. The main sculpted images show signs of having been created in two stages, with the later mode of carving evident in the group of images on the back wall. The stylistic difference is also evident in the appearance of the heads of figures taken from the cave and now located in museums and private collections outside China. In addition to its sculptural art, the South Cave is very important for its extensive engravings of Buddhist scriptures in stone. These are located inside the cave on the entrance wall, inside the porch, on the exterior wall of the porch, and extending onto the north wall of the courtyard. At the end of the sutra texts, the dedicatory stele of Tang Yong records that the engravings were carried out in the years from 568-572.
550 - 577

Northern Xiangtangshan, South Cave, east wall, altar, south side
  • Title Translation: 北响堂山南洞 , 东壁、祭坛、南侧
  • Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
  • Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
  • Work Description: The South Cave at Northern Xiangtangshan, like the Middle Cave, preserves its original stupa-form with domed roof and a porch in front. An additional small cave is carved into the dome. The main chamber is an open chamber space with images set around three walls. Each altar has a central Buddha surrounded by six standing figures including bodhisattvas, disciples and pratyekabuddhas. Smaller Buddhas appear in rows on the upper level of the cave. On the ceiling a large lotus blossom is carved in relief. The work on the cave appears to have been begun, then interrupted, and resumed later by different craftsmen. The main sculpted images show signs of having been created in two stages, with the later mode of carving evident in the group of images on the back wall. The stylistic difference is also evident in the appearance of the heads of figures taken from the cave and now located in museums and private collections outside China. In addition to its sculptural art, the South Cave is very important for its extensive engravings of Buddhist scriptures in stone. These are located inside the cave on the entrance wall, inside the porch, on the exterior wall of the porch, and extending onto the north wall of the courtyard. At the end of the sutra texts, the dedicatory stele of Tang Yong records that the engravings were carried out in the years from 568-572.
550 - 577

Northern Xiangtangshan, South Cave, east wall, bodhisattva, south side
  • Title Translation: 北响堂山南洞 , 东壁、菩萨、南侧
  • Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
  • Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
  • Work Description: The South Cave at Northern Xiangtangshan, like the Middle Cave, preserves its original stupa-form with domed roof and a porch in front. An additional small cave is carved into the dome. The main chamber is an open chamber space with images set around three walls. Each altar has a central Buddha surrounded by six standing figures including bodhisattvas, disciples and pratyekabuddhas. Smaller Buddhas appear in rows on the upper level of the cave. On the ceiling a large lotus blossom is carved in relief. The work on the cave appears to have been begun, then interrupted, and resumed later by different craftsmen. The main sculpted images show signs of having been created in two stages, with the later mode of carving evident in the group of images on the back wall. The stylistic difference is also evident in the appearance of the heads of figures taken from the cave and now located in museums and private collections outside China. In addition to its sculptural art, the South Cave is very important for its extensive engravings of Buddhist scriptures in stone. These are located inside the cave on the entrance wall, inside the porch, on the exterior wall of the porch, and extending onto the north wall of the courtyard. At the end of the sutra texts, the dedicatory stele of Tang Yong records that the engravings were carried out in the years from 568-572.
550 - 577

Buddha Head
  • Title Translation: 佛头
  • Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: This Buddha head is from main image in the niche on the west wall of Cave 16.
550 - 577

Bodhisattva Head
  • Title Translation: 菩萨头
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The head is from the seated bodhisattva formerly in Cave 17 on the east wall, north side. The body is now in the Nelson Atkins Museums of Art.
618 - 907

Buddha Head
  • Title Translation: 佛头
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The Buddha head is believed to be from the north wall of Cave 5.
618 - 907

Bodhisattva Standing
  • Title Translation: 立菩萨
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: historical photographs show that the standing figure is from the east wall of Cave 14. The hands in front of the torso were already missing in the last century. The head is now in the British Museum.
618 - 907

Bodhisattva Standing
  • Title Translation: 立菩萨
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The bodhisattva standing in a pose of reverence is from the west wall of Cave 17. The head is not original.
618 - 907

Devotee Relief
  • Title Translation: 信徒浮雕
  • Period: Eastern Wei, 534-550 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: A single donor/worshiper dressed in a robe with wide sleeves walks holding a large lotus flower bud on a curving stem.
534 - 550

Buddha Head
  • Title Translation: 佛头
  • Period: Sui, 581-618 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The Buddha head is from the west side of the central pillar of Cave 8.
581 - 618

Bodhisattva Seated
  • Title Translation: 坐菩萨
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: This fine large figure once occupied a lotus throne beside the principle Buddha image in Cave 21. It has a head made in the last century as a replacement for the original one, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
618 - 907

Buddha Head
  • Title Translation: 佛头
  • Period: Sui, 581-618 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The head is believed to be from the Sui dynasty cave, Cave 8.
581 - 618

Bodhisattva Seated
  • Title Translation: 坐菩萨
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The bodhisattva figure is seated in a pose of royal ease, with right leg bent out to the side and with the foot resting on the throne beside the left knee. The head is a modern replacement for the original head, now in the Barnes Foundation Museum.
618 - 907

Guardian Head
  • Title Translation: 天王、护法力士头
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: This is the original head of the muscular guardian figure in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art that once stood in the porch of Cave 17.
618 - 907

Disciple Head
  • Title Translation: 弟子头
  • Period: Sui, 581-618 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The shaven head of a youthful disciple is from the north wall of Cave 8.
581 - 618

Buddha Head
  • Title Translation: 佛头
  • Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: This Buddha head, previously exhibited at the Tokyo National Museum, is from the north wall of Cave 16.
550 - 577

Bodhisattva Head
  • Title Translation: 菩萨头
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The head and jewelry are very similar to those of a seated figure once located on the north wall of Cave 17.
618 - 907

Bodhisattva Seated
  • Title Translation: 坐菩萨
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: This finely carved headless figure sits in a posture of royal ease.
618 - 907

Bodhisattva Head
  • Title Translation: 菩萨头
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: The head is believed to be from the east wall of Cave 4.
618 - 907

Cave 14
  • Title Translation: 第十四窟
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: Cave 14 is a Tang cave that had finely carved sculptures, many of which are now in collections outside China
618 - 907

Cave 14
  • Title Translation: 第十四窟
  • Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: Cave 14 is a Tang cave that had finely carved sculptures, many of which are now in collections outside China
618 - 907

Cave 1
  • Title Translation: 第一窟
  • Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: Cave 1 is located at the far eastern end of the Tianlongshan caves site more than thirty meters from the the next cave, Cave 2. It is one of the larger caves, believed to be of the Northern Qi period. The facade still has part of the eave over the entrance porch showing architectural elements of posts and brackets and tiled roof carved in stone. The porch is about 3.5 meters wide and has an old stele carved on the right side. There was a dedicatory inscription carved on it, but only a few characters are now legible. The interior is a square chamber with niches on the back and side walls, each formerly containing a seated Buddha and two bodhisattvas.
550 - 577

Cave 2
  • Title Translation: 第二窟
  • Period: Eastern Wei, 534-550 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: Cave 2 and 3, the paired caves, are believed to be from the Eastern Wei period and are the earliest caves at Tianlongshan. They are located on the eastern side of the Tianlongshan caves site and below the upper level caves. Cave 2 is on the right. The caves are distinctive for the many relief carvings on the walls and ceiling, most of which have been removed.
534 - 550

Cave 3
  • Title Translation: 第三窟
  • Period: Eastern Wei, 534-550 C.E.
  • Project: Tianlongshan Caves
  • Work Description: Like Cave 2, Cave 3 has a square plan with Buddha and bodhisattva images with relief carvings on three walls.
534 - 550