Weinan: Stele

CHINA, Shaanxi, Weinan; Northern Wei dynasty

The stele was discovered in the town of Guapo, Weinan, in 1950. It has niches on all four sides, with the rest of the surface covered by figures and ornamentation in low-relief. The ogee arched niche is located at the front and has a Buddha seated inside flanked by Bodhisattvas. Though the Buddha’s head is damaged, the rest of the figure is still intact and shows the monastic robe with decorative folds spilling down the throne. The slender Bodhisattvas stand on lotus pedestals that grow from the throne.
Apsaras are lined above the niche, while the side borders are carved with decorations and monks. A mountain censer is directly below the niche and is supported by a warrior. To either side of the censer are human figures and lions. An inscription dating the stele to 512 is located directly below the censer. It states that General Zhu Shuangchi and his two brothers commissioned the stele to honor their parents. The low reliefs are further detailed by incised lines in a style that was popular during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE).