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Amitabha Stele,

540 (stone); late 19th to first half of 20th century (rubbing)

Chinese
Eastern Wei dynasty, 534–550 CE
y1957-160

Information

Title
Amitabha Stele
Dates

540 (stone); late 19th to first half of 20th century (rubbing)

Medium
Hanging scroll; ink rubbing on paper
Dimensions
verso (inscription): 29 x 16 cm. (11 7/16 x 6 5/16 in.) recto: 30.5 x 18 cm. (12 x 7 1/16 in.) 147 x 35.7 cm. (57 7/8 x 14 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of George Rowley
Object Number
y1957-160
Place Made

Asia, China

Inscription
verso - 興和二年二月六日 仏弟子仇貴并州人 也造像三區。番皆本 善,先者延年,少者益 壽,男學昭明,仕官速 [遷],所求而願 Draft translation: “On the 6th day, 2nd month, 2nd year [540] of the Xinghe reign, the Buddhist disciple Qiu Gui and the people of the region created this image of three statues. With prayers and wishes that everything is inherently peaceful, the years of the elders [ancestors?] are prolonged and some to benefit with longevity. And that the men are bright and intelligent in their studies and succeed in being promoted in office.” Reading notes: 1. As recorded in He Yayi “Zhongguo zhonggu fojiao zaoxiang huodong” 中國中古佛教造像活動 (MA thesis, National Chengchi University, 2010), p. 146, the “Cheng Xiuzu zao Guanshiyin xiang ji” 成休祖造觀世音像記 inscription has a parallel line reading: . . . 悉皆平善,先者延年,少者益. 壽。男學聰明,仕官速答,所求而願 . . . - in Qiu Gui’s inscription, the term benshan 本善 parallels pingshan 平善, meaning peaceful 平安. recto - 弥佗仏 “Amitabha” 勅使參軍造像供養 “As decreed the Adjunct (canjun) was sent to create this image to provide offerings”
Marks/Labels/Seals
Outer titleslip: 魏造象 興和二年 清劉喜海藏 “Wei dynasty, 2nd year (540) of the Xinghe reign. Collection of Liu Xihai of the Qing dynasty.” Note: Liu Xihai’s 劉喜海 (1793-1852) seals are also found on PUAM y1957-162 a-b.
Culture
Period
Type