Yungang Grotto 10: Door Lintel

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty

The lintel above the doorway on the back (north) wall of the front chamber has five doornails decorated with lotuses. The space above the lintel is separated into two tiers: the upper tier has carvings of Mount Sumeru, and the lower tier features rounded mountain peaks. Among the mountain peaks are trees and animals such as birds, deer, and tigers, while between the peaks, children hold the ends of necklaces decorated with carvings of trees and animals. On the upper tier, two golden dragons coil beneath Mount Sumeru, while a heavenly being with joined palms kneels on each side. An asura is located on the very far right, with three heads and four arms, while kumaraka is on the left, with five heads and six arms. Both of them wear stoles across their chests, long lower garments, and armlets. They strike similar poses with the left hand on the knee, the right hand placed in front of their chests, and the other hands carrying bows and objects resembling the sun and moon. The entire lintel is exquisitely and elegantly sculpted, and displays a high level of artistic skill.