Name/Title
Limestone Buddha HeadDescription
On July 14, 2007 the museum acquired a magnificent piece of history. Thanks to the generosity of lifetime member Kevin Stewart, the museum has added a monumental limestone Buddha head to its permanent collection.Context
Dating back to the Northern Qi Dynasty ( 550-577 C.E.), this Buddha head was originally carved into a cave in Shanxi Province. The style and time period is the same as the sculptures in Tian Long Shan 天龍山 (heavenly dragon mountain) grottoes in the same province.
After Buddhism reached China during the Han Dynasty, pilgrims traveling along the Silk Road began creating Buddhist paintings and statuary in numerous caves of western China. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries much of this artwork was removed and sold to foreign collectors by treasure hunters. Since many statues of Buddha were too cumbersome to move intact, usually only the heads were taken. Although this blatant act of destruction was intended to turn a profit for the looter, in light of history, it also can be seen as an unintentional act of preservation.
After fall of the Qing Dynasty and the destruction of Japanese occupation, a new Communist government emerged amidst the turmoil. Mao Zedong 毛澤東 and his cadres enjoyed absolute power, but when he felt the reigns of power slipping from his hands,
Mao launched the “ Cultural Revolution”無產階級文化大革命 (1966-1976). All authority figures were put under suspicion and everyone was ordered to stamp out the "four olds Put:" old ideas, old culture, old customs and old habits. This chaotic campaign of wanton destruction destroyed many of China's historical sites, records and artifacts. However, due to the previous actions of treasure hunters, many relics were already out of the country and escaped this fate.
Although our skillfully carved Buddha head had the misfortune of being removed from its body and original home, it is lucky to have survived total destruction during the Cultural Revolution. Now, thanks to the generosity of donor Kevin Stewart, many people will have the opportunity to see this Buddha head.Acquisition
Accession
T146Source or Donor
Kevin StewartMade/Created
Notes
Date made: Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577 CE)Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Figure, ReligiousNomenclature Secondary Object Term
StatueNomenclature Primary Object Term
Symbol, ReligiousNomenclature Primary Object Term
SculptureNomenclature Sub-Class
Religious ObjectsNomenclature Class
Ceremonial ObjectsNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLegacy Lexicon
Object Name
Sculpture, StoneDimensions
Height
30 inWidth
21 inDepth
22 inInterpretative Labels
Label Type
Object LabelLabel
This Buddha head was carved out of limestone found in the Shanxi Province 山西. It was done in the style of Tianlongshan 天龍山 meaning “heavenly dragon mountain.”