Tianlongshan Caves
The Buddhist cave temples in Tianlongshan (“Heavenly Dragon Mountain”) were created during the Eastern Wei (534-550 C.E.), Northern Qi (550-577 C.E.), and Sui (581-618 C.E.) dynasty. Many of the sculptures from the caves are now in museums around the world. The Tianlongshan Caves collection focuses on the caves and their dispersed Buddhist sculptures.
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51 - 75 of 118 Records
Bodhisattva Lion, 3D model
- Title Translation: 菩萨狮子 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: Cave 20 contained this bodhisattva Manjusri seated on a lion. The lion has been heavily restored.
Cave 8
- Title Translation: 第八窟 , 3D模型
- Period: Sui, 581-618 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: Cave 8 is the largest of the caves at Tianlongshan with the exception of Cave 9, the colossal Buddha cave. It is the only central pillar cave at the site and the only cave known to be of the Sui dynasty (581-618). It has a porch three bays wide that is largely preserved. The traces of two guardian figures standing at the sides of the entrance can still be seen. At the right side of the porch there is a stele with a long inscription dated to the fourth year of the kaihuang reign period, or 584. It records the persecution of Buddhism in the preceding Northern Zhou period after the conquest of Northern Qi, and its restoration with the rise of the Sui dynasty. The cave is dedicated by a Sui official to the well-being of the Sui emperor Wen (r. 581-604) and his son Yang Guang, the prince of Jin. The main chamber of Cave 8 is square in plan with a large square central pillar. It has three niches around the back and side walls and four niches on the central pillar, each with a central seated Buddha and standing attendants.
Bodhisattva Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 菩萨头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The head is from the seated bodhisattva formerly in Cave 17 on the east wall, north side. The body is now in the Nelson Atkins Museums of Art.
Buddha Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 佛头 , 3D 模型
- Period: unknown
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The head has unusual features and does not appear to have been cut from a cave wall and therefore its attribution to Tianlongshan is questionable.
Flying Divinity, 3D model
- Title Translation: 飞天 , 3D 模型
- Period: Eastern Wei, 534-550 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The heavenly divinity carved in relief is holding a bowl in the gesture of offering.
Flying Divinity, 3D model
- Title Translation: 飞天 , 3D 模型
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The heavenly musician from the ceiling of Cave 16 plays a pipa or lute-like instrument.
Flying Divinity, 3D model
- Title Translation: 飞天 , 3D 模型
- Period: unknown
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The flying divinity carving is not known to be from any existing cave at Tianlongshan.
Flying Divinity, 3D model
- Title Translation: 飞天 , 3D 模型
- Period: unknown
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The flying divinity is attributed to Tianlongshan, but it is not known to be from any existing cave at the site.
Buddha Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 佛头 , 3D 模型
- Period: unknown
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: Because the Buddha head appears to be carved of limestone with the upper portion restored, it cannot be identified with any of the Tianlongshan caves.
Bodhisattva Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 菩萨头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The head is from the seated bodhisattva on the east wall of Cave 17 at the proper left side of the Maitreya Buddha.
Guardian Standing, 3D model
- Title Translation: 天王、护法力士立像 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The muscular body and fierce expression of this door guardian from Cave 17 create a vivid impression of strength.
Buddha Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 佛头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The large head is from the niche on the west wall of Cave 1.
Buddha Seated, 3D model
- Title Translation: 坐佛 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The Buddha sits in meditation with his right hand extended downward in the gesture of bhumispara (earth touching).
Bodhisattva Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 菩萨头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The head is from the seated bodhisattva on the north wall, west side, Cave 18, as recorded in historical photographs. The topknot and nose are restored.
Bodhisattva Standing, 3D model
- Title Translation: 立菩萨 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: This standing bodhisattva is unusually well-preserved and can be identified with a figure on the north wall in historic photographs of Cave 18.
Bodhisattva Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 菩萨头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Sui, 581-618 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The head is from one of the standing bodhisattvas on the west wall of Cave 8.
Bodhisattva Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 菩萨头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The bodhisattva head wearing elaborate crown is possibly from Cave 16.
Cave 10
- Title Translation: 第十窟 , 3D模型
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: Cave 10 is a Northern Qi cave that is just west of the colossal sculptures and wooden structure of Cave 9. It is accessible through an opening in the east wall adjacent to Cave 9. The entrance porch is now high above path in front of the cave. Still partially preserved on the west side, it has one large pillar remaining on the west side. The entrance porch has two guardian figures standing outside, one of which mostly remains. Like the other caves of the Northern Qi period at Tianlongshan, this is one of the larger caves, its interior a square chamber more than three meters on each side with figures carved on four walls. There are recessed niches on the back and side walls that contain most of the principle sculptural images. Smaller figures of musicians and lions appear along the front of the low altar.
Flying Divinity, 3D model
- Title Translation: 飞天 , 3D 模型
- Period: Eastern Wei, 534-550 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The flying divinity or apsaras holds an alms bowl over its head.
Buddha Seated, 3D model
- Title Translation: 坐佛 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: One of the finest and best-preserved sculptures from Tianlongshan, this Buddha figure was the principal image in Cave 21.
Buddha Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 佛头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The torso appears to be from a standing bodhisattva on the east wall of Cave 6.
Bodhisattva Standing, 3D model
- Title Translation: 立菩萨 , 3D 模型
- Period: Eastern Wei, 534-550 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: This is an assembled figure whose body and head were taken from Cave 2 and Cave 3 respectively, both dating to the first half of the sixth century.
Guardian Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 天王、护法力士头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Tang, 618-907 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The fierce expression of this head from the entrance to Cave 17 identifies it as a protector of Buddhism.
Bodhisattva Relief, 3D model
- Title Translation: 菩萨浮雕 , 3D 模型
- Period: Eastern Wei, 534-550 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The figure stands in a pose of reverence to the sculpted Buddha and bodhisattvas in the niche on the west wall of Cave 3.
Guardian Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 天王、护法力士头 , 3D 模型
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Tianlongshan Caves
- Work Description: The head is from a guardian figure on the east side of the entrance porch of Cave 16. It is currently matched with a body of unknown origin.