Chongfu Temple: Pagoda Sculpture

CHINA, Shanxi, Shuozhou; Northern Wei dynasty

This model of a pagoda was discovered in Chongfu Temple in Shanxi. The body of the pagoda is currently in the National Museum of History in Taipei, while the finial is stored in Chongfu Temple.
The nine-story pagoda is based on Chinese architectural design complete with eaves and bracket sets. All smooth surfaces have been filled with more than a thousand Buddhas images. A niche is located on the first level with Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas sitting side by side. Another niche features a Bodhisattva seated with ankles crossed, while a third niche has a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas. All subsequent levels contain images of seated Buddhas.
A depiction of an incense burner, two monks and two lions is on the front side of the base. Images of male and female donors line the sides while the rear has an inscription that states Chao Tiendo, an officer of the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), commissioned the pagoda in 466, in memory of his deceased father and son.