Bazhong Rock Carvings Western Niche 53: Pavilions in the Heavenly Palace

CHINA, Sichuan, Bazhong; Tang dynasty

These two pavilions of the heavenly palace are located on either side of the entrance of Western Niche 53. Each pavilion has two distinct sections, with a balcony surrounded by balustrades in between. On the first story of each pavilion, there are relief carvings of heavenly musicians. The musician on the front of the pavilion to the left of the entrance plays a harp, while the ones on the adjacent side play a pipa and a reed instrument. On the pavilion to the right of the entrance, the heavenly musicians play a zither and drum, while the third musician is no longer discernible.
On the balcony of each pavilion stands a heavenly being looking off into the distance. Other figures which may have been on the balconies have been severely weathered and are no longer extant. The upper story of both pavilions is carved with imitated timber bracket sets, mimicking the details of a real wooden pavilion. These carvings are of particular interest for historical research due to the insights they provide into the building styles and methods of the Tang dynasty (618–907).