Cave 420, Mogao Grottoes, Sui Dynasty (581-618 A.D.)

Cave 420 has an inverted-dipper typed ceiling and a square main hall. At the south, north and west walls is excavated a shrine respectively. The statues of bodhisattvas in this cave are cast in simple clothing with green and blue design, which forms contrast with the earth yellow tone of the wall paintings, resulting in strong decoration. The skirt of the bodhisattva, with bead design and hunting scenes in roundels, is of Persian art style. The Guanyin Bodhisattva (Bodhisattva of Mercy) holding a willow twig at the south side of the shrine at the west wall is a master piece among the contemporary statues.

The south, east and north walls depict miniature Buddhas. The caisson design at the center of the ceiling is lotus flower, while four slopes depict large-sized illustration of Lotus Sutra, which foreruns the large-sized illustrations in the Tang Dynasty and is of high artistic value.

Publishes at : 07-08-15 22:31

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