Stone Carvings at the Xiuan Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng

Stone Carvings at the Xiuan Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng

Stone Carvings at the Xiuan Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng

Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, First and Second Batches, adjusted and announced in March 1982. The stone carvings at the Xiuan Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng, from the Southern Dynasties (494 AD), are located at Xiantangwan, Hujiaqiao, Danyang County. In 1988, they were announced as part of the "Stone Carvings of the Southern Dynasties Tombs in Danyang" in the third batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Stone Carvings at the Xiuan Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng

Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng, courtesy name Xiaobo, was the father of Emperor Ming of Qi, Xiao Luan. During the Liu Song Dynasty, he served as a court attendant and died in office. After the establishment of the Qi Dynasty, he was posthumously honored as the Prince of Shian. After Xiao Luan ascended the throne, he was further posthumously honored as Emperor Jing and buried in the Xiuan Mausoleum. The Xiuan Mausoleum is located on the southern slope of Hexiong'ao, Xian Tangwan, Hujiao Mountain, Danyang City, Jiangsu Province today. The mausoleum is built against a mountain, with a spirit way constructed in front of it. A pair of stone beasts are placed on both sides of the spirit way: a Tianlu (heavenly deer) on the east and a Qilin (Chinese unicorn) on the west. This pair of stone beasts is extremely exquisite. Their bodies are tall, with their heads, necks, and torsos twisted slightly in an “S” shape, giving them a graceful and elongated appearance. They are richly decorated. For instance, the carving of the hair on their heads makes the lines more intricate. The neck and torso are carefully carved with beards and tassel-like ornaments. The wings have circular whirl patterns as well as scale patterns, while the abdomen is embellished with feather wing patterns, making it seem as though the creatures’ wings are thick and large enough to flap for flight. The carvings mostly use the round chisel technique, combining round sculpture, relief, and line engraving. The artistic expression is richer compared to the stone carvings of other imperial tombs.

Panoramic View of the Xiuan Mausoleum

Tianlu at the Xiuan Mausoleum

Tianlu at the Xiuan Mausoleum

Qilin at the Xiuan Mausoleum

Qilin at the Xiuan Mausoleum

Head of the Qilin at the Xiuan Mausoleum

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batches of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units