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Shiniu Temple: Stone Lantern with Lotus Pedestal
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Shiniu Temple: Stone Lantern with Lotus Pedestal
CHINA, Shaanxi, Xianyang; Tang dynasty (618–907); Stone; H: 193 cm; Xi'an Beilin Museum, Shaanxi, China
The stone lantern is 193 cm high. The pedestal consists of a base sculpted with mountains and supports an elegantly carved pillar. The entwining dragons on the pillar have their clawed legs overhanging a round base decorated with stylized waves. This represents the water of a lake surrounded by the rough-hewn mountains at the bottom. The octagonal pillar capital supports the lotus base of the body. The central part of the body is a square light box with an opening on all four sides. The hip roof is topped by a finial. |
