The Survey And Preliminary Study Of Yungang Grottoes' Clayey Sculptures

In this paper, the author accords to the first-hand material that she obtained through measuring, photographing and drawing of the Yungang Grottoes existing clayey sculptures;integrated applies the research methods of archeology, typology, iconology, bibliography and art science; initially makes clear the number, size, features,including mud painted case, material composition of the Yungang Grottoes existing clayey sculptures and the clayey sculptures that still remain in the 40's of the 20th.Its basic manufacturing method is the Stakes fixation, which can be divided into three types that include direct inserting stakes into stone then packing mud, wood frame or brick pieces to support their outsourcing of mud, and wood makes up mud framework then painting murals.The clay mud layer is basically divided into two layers.The inner layer is rough, loose and thick, it includes larger soil particles, a flock of coarse and long stems and white or black small particles.The outer layer of clay is more delicate and harder. It includes a small amount of the thin stems and small particles.Part of the outer layer contains some white floccules,its external is direct painted.Meanwhile, the paper discusses the relatively intact clay's type and age attribution.The main kinds of clayey sculptures can be divided into Buddha, Bodhisattva, Arhats and Heavenly King.The times were attributable to the Liao, Jin, early and late Qing Dynasty. The author initially defined the number of statues, bone characteristics and manufacturing processes of various periods.In general,the layer of the clayey sculptures in Liao and Jin dynasty is more delicate, and contains less and longer stems.The technology is more sophisticated. The clay drapery lines are flowing and the clothing side is engraved with detailed pattern.The layer of the clayey sculptures in Qing dynasty is more rough, and contains more and shorter stems and white and black small particles.The technology is more crude.The clay drapery lines are stiff and the clothes are just painted plain.In addition, the author discusses the scope of the Yungang Grottoes existing clayey sculptures, and the relationship between the Yungang fort and the Yungang Grottoes existing clayey sculptures.Also,the author discusses the reasons that Yungang Grottoes doesn't have the statues during Yuan and Ming dynasty and the problem about Quanzhen taoist.The author initially solves the problem that the lack of research about clayey sculptures in Yungang Grottoes,and fills the blank of the Yungang Grottoes'history and art.