BUDDHISM
Buddhist Cave Temple Sculpture
Buddha's Head. Museum no. A.98-1927. (click image for larger version)
This Buddha's head, which dates to the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577 AD) is currently on display in Gallery 47e alongside other examples of Chinese Buddhist sculpture, and is one of several pieces in the V&A's collection thought to have originated from a Buddhist cave temple in China.
Over one metre in diameter this three dimensional head with full, fleshy features is highly expressive and, despite the fact that it is only a small fragment of a whole sculpture, it retains a great sense of presence. It is difficult to ascertain whether it would have been part of a standing or a sitting figure.
The face is characterised by symmetrical features: high arching eyebrows, downcast eyes, angular nose and full lips. The eyes and the gently smiling lips in particular contribute to creating an aura of serenity and calm around the object.
Pigment on the Buddha's head, detail (click image for larger version)
Click here to view a zoomable image
The Buddha would originally have been painted in bright colours. There are still some traces of pigment remaining on the lips, eyes and eyebrows and in the 'third eye' or Urna. This would most likely have been embellished with a jewel of some kind; there is in fact a visible depression where a jewel would have been inlaid. The Urna symbolises wisdom and is one of the thirty-two 'lakshana' or special physical and symbolic characteristics of the Buddha.
Sculptures such as this played a very important role in the practice of Buddhism.
Followers of the faith would worship before them, and many were specially
commissioned by wealthy patrons.
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Buddhist Cave Temples
The concept of cave temples came to China from Central Asia where the tradition of building such complexes had been practised for centuries.
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The Spread of Buddhism in China
Buddhism first came to China during the late first and second centuries AD as a direct result of Han expansion and the establishment of the Silk Road.
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History of the Northern Dynasties
This Buddha's head is thought to have been made in the Northern Qi Period (550-577). The Northern Qi were one of a number of ruling dynasties that held power in China during the Period of Disunion (265-589).
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The Xiangtangshan Caves Project
The Xiangtangshan Caves Project: Reconstruction and Recontextualisation is an international collaborative research project which seeks to establish a better understanding of the art and visual culture of the Northern Qi (550-577).
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Links
Links about the Xiangtangshan Project