Category:Southern Cliff Buddhist Sculptures

English: "The Southern Cliff is discussed first because it is the richest and the best preserved in Bazhong, although not the earliest. It is located in the Chengshan Hill. [...] According to the Bazhou Gazetteer, as far back as the Tang, during the administration of Yan Wu, about 760, a large monastic complex, the Guangfusi, was erected at the site. It was destroyed in Ming, rebuilt in Qing, and again destroyed. Presently there is no temple at the site, only a couple of recently built look-out pavilions. [...] The decoration of the frames deserves attention in Bazhong County, especially at the Southern Cliff. High skills mark the carving of the images, great originality characterizes the execution of the frames' decor. Such lavish intricacy and originality of ornamentation have never graced the niches of northern China. Bazhong frames seldom make use of the familiar vocabulary of apsarases in flight, stylized flames, and cintāmaṇi. The majority of the frames seem to be replicas of entrance gates to affluent, local houses. Being rather deep, they lead gradually to the interior of the niche. Their shape is chiefly square. Two pillars carved with floral patterns support the upper section, a roof with upturned eaves, on each side. Below the roof, the lintel is draped with swags of curtains, festoons of jewelled ropes, and further adorned with dangling tassels." – Howard, Angela Falco (1988). "Tang Buddhist Sculpture of Sichuan: Unknown and Forgotten" in Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm (No. 60).