Xumishan Grotto 46: Buddha Niche (detail)
Stone
Xumishan Grotto 46: Buddha Niche
CHINA, Ningxia, Guyuan; Northern Zhou dynasty
This sculpture can be found in the middle niche on the west wall within Grotto 46. Valance curtains, hanging curtains, and drapery poles are carved onto the lintel of the niche. Images of flaming jewels, lotus flowers, and honeysuckle patterns are decorated above and below the beam. Columns topped by dragons are depicted on both sides of the niche while inside is a carved Buddha standing on a lotus pedestal. The Buddha has a round face and flat usnisa and wears a monastic robe over an inner robe. The Buddha’s right hand probably forms the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, while the left hand holds a lotus flower. This is an exemplary Xumishan statue dating from the Northern Zhou dynasty (557–581).
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1533.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z},
pages = 1533,
title = {{Xumishan Grotto 46: Buddha Niche}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}