Head of Standing Buddha

The Fengxiansidong Cave at Longmen is some 30 meters wide and 40 meters deep, with an overall height of 17 meters. This makes the cave the largest grotto at Longmen. Vairocana Buddha is the cave’s central deity. This Buddha was commissioned by emperor Gaozong and completed in 675. Later, an additional 50 figures were commissioned by emperor Xuanzong during the Kaiyuan period, with these additional figures all standing Buddhas of slightly more than life-size. This head is the head of one of these standing Buddha figures. It is characterized by its round form, as if it had been carved from a ball-shaped stone, and the semi-circular eyebrows and with clearly outlined lips.