The Stone Carvings Of The Imperial Tombs Of The Northern Song Dynasty And The Classical Traditions Of Chinese Stone Carvings

This thesis will be mainly focused on the monumental stone sculptures that were erected along the spirit road of the Northern Song Emperors' Mausoleum.Based on the discussion of their making process,our aim is to define the existence of a classical tradition in Chinese stone carving(if there is any),which was coexisted with Buddhist stone sculpture.Buddhist stone carving have constantly stayed under the spotlight due to its various images and multiple layers of meanings,as if it is equivalent to Chinese sculpture.As a matter of fact,before the introduction of Buddhist art during the Eastern Han Period,stone carving has already generated here on Chinese land spontaneously,and it has formed its own languages.No matter how time and techniques have changed,this indigenous way of making stone carvings have always managed to stay under the same appearance,playing the role of 'tomb statuary alongside the spirit road' in the royal or aristocratic mausoleums.As a part of the burial practices,stone tomb statuary has been carried with the mark of contemporary ideology or the impression of some mysterious political needs.However,as for sculptor,language of forms was produced through the process of making,which has contributed to the final appearance of the sculpture.Choices of the sculptural languages have also made comparison between Buddhist stone carving and the 'Classical Tradition' in Chinese stone carving possible.