Dunhuang grotto art to be shown

November 17, 2014

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Known as the “Encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages”, the Dunhuang Caves are home to Buddhist art relics.

This Statue of Buddha in Nirvāṇa is portrayed as reclining on his right side, with his head resting on his right hand, the left hand resting gently on his body. This pose is called the ‘Lion’s Posture’, and differs from the usual position of lying on one’s back when dead, indicating that entering Nirvāṇa does not equate with death.

The 13-meter long Buddha replica was divided into four parts for shipment to Hong Kong. Artisans used mud from Dunhuang mixed with plastic and linen to polish and hide the gaps.

This mural illustrates the Buddhist concept that “benevolence and good deeds will bring good retribution; ungratefulness and evil deeds will incur severe punishment”.  

A man saved from drowning by a nine-coloured deer promised not to unveil its tracks. However, he then told the king the whereabouts of the deer. The king was keen to pursue the animal for its antlers and fur. For violating his pledge, the ungrateful man suffered from sores all over his body. The fearless deer appealed to the king by exposing the man’s treachery. Deeply moved, the king issued an order to forbid his countrymen from hunting the deer.

This portrait provides insights into women’s fashions during the Tang Dynasty.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum Curator Ang Yee:
For the hair ornament, it was fashionable to use comb as part of the hair ornaments. Especially the Lady Wang, the one at the front of the portrait. So we can see a comb with long handle inserted in her hair. For the daughters at the back of the Lady Wang, so we can see the red dots or some flower decorations on her face which were painted on the face or they used some detachable materials to adhere to her face.

Voiceover:
The Leisure & Cultural Services Department and Dunhuang Academy jointly present the “Dunhuang – Untold Tales, Untold Riches” featuring nearly 120 artefacts. The exhibition runs from Nov 28 to March 16 at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

Reclining buddha: Heritage Museum Curator Ang Yee unveils the Nirvana Buddha.

More than 100 exhibits from the Dunhuang Caves will be displayed at the Heritage Museum from November 28 to March 16.

Jointly presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and Dunhuang Academy, the exhibition showcases artefacts that represent the core aspects of Dunhuang grotto art and demonstrate the area's cultural diversity.

A 13-metre statue of the Nirvana Buddha is one of highlights.

There are copies of cave murals, showing the unique story-telling style of Dunhuang painting.

There is also a portrait of Lady Wang from Taiyuan, showing women’s fashion in the Tang Dynasty.

Click here for details.

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