UBC Community, Partners, and Alumni Publications

Complex of four niches, Qianfo zhai (千佛寨) Anderl, Christoph

Description

This complex of four niches is located in Qianfo zhai 千佛寨, Anyue xian 安岳縣, Sichuan sheng 四川省. Its date is uncertain. The complex of niches is divided into two layers. The upper layer contains Niche 10 on the right and two other unspecified niches on his left. Niche 10 contains seven images, including one buddha, two disciples, two bodhisattvas and two guardian deities. The buddha in the middle is seated on a lotus throne. The halos and canopy above the image are eroded. The two disciples next to the buddha images are in monk's robes, their faces and halos missing. The two bodhisattvas have oval halos and are adorned with pretty headdresses. The two guardian deities have round halos and their torsos are naked. The frame of this niche is decorated with floral motifs. There is an inscription, likely recently added and apparently incomplete, on the top left of the outer frame. The interior of the niche in the middle of the upper layer is not visible. There is a buddha-like statue in the middle. The left niche of the upper layer contains seven extant standing images. Some of their faces are damaged. Their fclothing and headdresses suggest that they could be bodhisattvas. The small niche in the lower layer has three unidentified figures. Descriptions of the photos: An overview of Niche 10 [1]. An overview of the left niche in the upper layer [2]. An overview of the left niche in the upper layer [3]. An overview of Niche 10 and the middle niche in the upper layer [4]. An overview of the four niches with a close-up of the small niche in the lower layer [5]. An overview of Niche 10 [6]. A close-up of the guardian deity on the left of Niche 10 [7]. A close-up of the guardian deity on the right of Niche 10 [8]. An overview of the left niche in the upper layer from a distance [9]. A close-up of the inscription on the left of Niche 10 [10]. Metadata created by: Sau Ling Wendy Yu.

Item Citations and Data

Rights

Attribution 4.0 International