Bingling Temple Cave 169: Standing Buddhas
Clay
Bingling Temple Cave 169: Standing Buddhas
CHINA, Gansu, Linxia; Western Qin Kingdom
These figures are located in Niche 9 along the lower tier of the north wall of Cave 169. They are believed to be the oldest sculptures within the Bingling Temple Caves. All three sculptures are relatively well preserved, with the exception of the damaged feet of the carving on the right.
Each Buddha is approximately 1 m in height, and stands barefoot with one hand grasping the front of the monastic robe. They all have high usnisas and round faces with the facial features emphasized in black ink. The nimbuses and petal-shaped mandorlas behind the Buddhas are painted with flame patterns and strings of beads. Their robes hang close to the body. The style and characteristics of these statues shows obvious influence from the Mathura style.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves A-E, page 181.
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 A-E},
pages = 181,
title = {{Bingling Temple Cave 169: Standing Buddhas}},
volume = 5,
year = {2016}}