Buddha Niches

CHINA; Western Wei dynasty

This stone has been carved on all four sides and was originally gilded. The front side depicts a Buddha seated in a niche flanked by disciples. The Buddha’s hands are held together and the folds of the monastic robe cascade down over the throne. The disciples stand on lotus pedestals with engraved Bodhisattvas next to them. One of the Bodhisattvas is badly damaged but the other is shown holding a lotus and standing on a lotus pedestal. The lintel of the niche has engravings of a mountain censer with an apsara on either side. Dharma protecting lions sit on either side of the Buddha.
The back of the stone is similar to the front, except the apsaras are replaced with figures making offerings. The four figures next to the Buddha are also slightly different. All four depict Bodhisattvas and are all carved in relief instead of being just engraved.
The sides of the stone are shown in the form of rubbings. The left side has three registers: the top register shows a Buddha flanked by attendants; the middle register has an official riding a horse with an attendant holding a parasol; the bottom register depicts two donors holding lotuses with a servant in the center. The inscriptions give the names of the donors. The rubbing on the right consists of inscriptions and figures of donors with their names carved beside them. The inscription states that Qi Faqi commissioned the sculpture in 550 to pray for the blessings of everyone.