Newly found head tops off Buddha statue

Two discoveries that occurred 26 years apart have led to the complete assembly of a 1,400-year-old Buddha statue that went on public display at a museum in Shanxi province on Sunday, offering a rare glimpse into Buddhist art from the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577).

The headless statue was first discovered in 2000 and a damaged sandstone head was found by a 57-year-old local farmer this month.

He Dongsheng, from Dongzhao village in Fenyang city, made the discovery while working on his field next to a pig farm.

Caked in mud when found, the fragment measures 37.5 centimeters tall, 24 cm wide and 25.5 cm thick. It has severe damage to its left ear and nostril, as well as extensive erosion on its left side.

Despite its weathered appearance, the head bears unmistakable stylistic features of Northern Qi sculptures, including a polished ushnisha — an oval-shaped protrusion on the top of Buddha's head — as well as a broad forehead, full cheeks, a faint smile and streamlined contours, according to a panel of experts assembled by the Fenyang Museum.

"I knew in my heart it was a national cultural relic. Donating it to the State was the most appropriate choice," He told China Daily.

After hearing news of the discovery, Tian Xinsheng, Dongzhao Party chief, suspected that the head may belong to a headless Buddha statue already housed at the museum.

To verify the match, the museum commissioned a professional team on July 12 to conduct 3D scans of both the head and the statue's body.

After several days of digital analysis, experts confirmed that the fracture surfaces, stone texture and weathering patterns were a precise match, proving the two pieces belonged to the same statue.

Wang Zhongzhang, a former curator of the museum who helped excavate the headless statue in 2000, had spent years searching for its missing head.

Seeing the statue restored at last, Wang, now in his 70s, said he was overjoyed.

"As a veteran cultural heritage worker, I am truly delighted. These stone carvings vividly demonstrate the superb craftsmanship and artistic wisdom of the Chinese nation from a thousand years ago," he told China Daily.

Kong Linghai, the museum's current curator, said the complete statue would provide an important reference for the study of Buddhist stone carvings in western Shanxi.

"Every cultural relic carries the cultural genes of its place of origin. It reflects the economic, artistic and cultural standards of successive dynasties," he said.

Kong expressed hope that the case would encourage more rural communities to value and protect their cultural heritage.

"Many historical objects remain scattered in villages. If this case sets an example, it could prompt more people to come forward," he said.

Experts said Fenyang's rich Buddhist heritage dates to the 6th century, when monks fled to the area during a suppression of Buddhism in a neighboring region.

A donation ceremony was held at the museum on Saturday, where He received a certificate and a cash reward of 10,000 yuan ($1,475).

Deputy Mayor Wang Baoqi presented the award and a silk banner to the Party branch of Dongzhao village in recognition of its role in safeguarding the relic.

"His generous act reflects the strong cultural awareness and deep sense of legal responsibility among the people of our city," Wang said at the ceremony, calling on residents to follow He's example in protecting the city's cultural heritage.

Zhang Shurui and Chen Shuo contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at lilei@chinadaily.com.cn