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Longmen Grotto 712: Ceiling
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Longmen Grotto 712: Ceiling
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Longmen Grotto 712: Ceiling
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Longmen Grotto 712: Ceiling
CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Northern Wei dynasty (386–534)
Displayed in the ceiling’s center is a relief of a lotus flower, with a diameter of 3.6 m. Around the seedpod in the center of the lotus are double-layered petals in an orderly arrangement. The lotus is encircled by a honeysuckle pattern that serves as a background.
Six apsaras with delicate features fly around the perimeter of the lotus. Their hair is coiled into topknots and their facial features are soft and refined. Stoles resembling flames rise from their bodies. The apsaras hold either an incense burner or fruit in both hands. Thin, floating clouds embellish the spaces between the figures. |
