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1651 - 1675 of 1897 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.
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.
Northern Xiangtangshan, South Cave, east wall, south side
- Title Translation: 北响堂山南洞 , 东壁、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.
Northern Xiangtangshan, South Cave, east wall, north side
- Title Translation: 北响堂山南洞 , 东壁、北侧
- 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.
Northern Xiangtangshan, South Cave, north wall, altar base, east side, relief of monk, drummer, and sheng
- Title Translation: 北响堂山南洞 , 北壁、坛基、东侧、僧鼓笙浮雕
- 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.
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: 跪鬼神
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Musician Sheng
- Title Translation: 菩萨头
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: This magnificent sculpture comes from an important complex of mountainside Buddhist shrines hewn from the living rock at Xiangtangshan in Hebei province. It originally belonged to a full-length statue of a bodhisattva (an enlightened being who has postponed nirvana in order to help achieve salvation for others); the vase in the center of the crown may identify the figure as Mahāsthāmaprāpta, one of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. The principal grottoes at Xiangtangshan were carved during the short-lived Northern Qi dynasty (550-77), which ruled much of northern China prior to the reunification of the country in 589 under the Sui (589-618).
Guardian King
- Title Translation: 天王、护法力士
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Buddha Head
- Title Translation: 佛头
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: According to Buddhist tradition, when the young prince Sakyamuni resolved to seek spiritual enlightenment, he discarded his courtly garments and cut off his long hair. In Indian and East Asian sculpture, the tonsured Buddha is occasionally shown as bald, but more often he is portrayed as seen here, with a head of tiny, snail-shaped curls. This head of a Buddha was originally part of an impressive sculptural diorama of life-size figures carved into the living rock at Xiangtangshan (Mountain of Echoing Halls), a site not far from the Northern Qi capital of Ye. More than ten caves were excavated at Xiangtangshan during the third quarter of the sixth century, under the patronage of the Northern Qi ruling family and nobles.
Bodhisattva Standing
- Title Translation: 菩萨立像
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: Statue of bodhisattva made of hard, dark-grey limestone which has stained and discolored with age. There are traces of green, red and blue pigment on the piece. It is almost identical with C113 but there is no figure in the aureole of the tiara. C113, C150 and C151 are from Cave #2 of the Southern Xiangtangshan. C150 could be from the front shrine, one of the three shrines surrounded by the central pillar.
Bodhisattva Hand
- Title Translation: 菩萨手
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: 跪鬼神
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, interior
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 内景
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, interior
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 内景
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, façade
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 外墙
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, interior
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 内景
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, monster
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 鬼神
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, altar
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 祭坛
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, altar base, east
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 祭坛座东
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, altar base, front
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 祭坛座前
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, altar base, south
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 祭坛座南
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, altar base, south
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 祭坛座南
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, façade
- Title Translation: 北响堂山中洞 , 外墙
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.