邺城遗址出土北魏谭副造像图像考释

2012年初,由中国社会科学院考古研究所与河北省文物研究所联合组建的邺城考古队,在今河北省临漳县习文乡北吴庄村北发掘了一处佛教造像埋藏坑,出土编号造像2895件(块)[1]。据初步统计,现有造像底座近900件,题记造像300件左右,时代以东魏北齐为主,另有少量的北魏及隋唐时期造像。

The Buddhist stele commissioned by Tan Fu of the Northern Wei is one of the earliest Buddhist steles found in the Yecheng area so far.The front depicts Shakyamuni attended by two bodhisattvas,also surrounded by devotional bodhisattvas and celestial musicians.The mandorla fringe is embellished with a fl ame design.On the upper reverse,the central scene consists of Maitreya Bodhisattva preaching in Tusita and sitting with legs crossed in a palace of hybridized Sino-Indian architectural style.Maitreya Bodhisattva is attended by multiple Dharmapalas,such as Sakka,Mahabrahma,Nanda,Upananda,etc.The middle depicts images of worldly devotees and musicians in columns.The lower part presents extended dedication inscriptions.The backdrop and bottom base are fl anked by entwined fl oral motifs and imageries of children,fortune birds,and dragons.Due to excellence in craftsmanship,design,painting,abundant iconographic themes,detailed dedication inscriptions,distinguishing characteristics of the period,and an overall style identical to that of the Yungang Grottoes carved during the Taihe Reforms in the Northern Wei,this stele provides valuable data for the study of Buddhist worship during the middle and late Northern Wei.It also provides evidence for the study of iconographic styles,craftsmanship,as well as ancient architecture and ornamentation.