Yuanjuedong Grottos in Anyue

In the year 2007 the German-Chinese co-operation in the field of preservation of cultural heritage was extended beyond Shaanxi Province to selected monuments in the whole country. In Sichuan Province in south west China, numerous exceptional stone sculptures are located. One example is the Buddhist grotto complex in Anyue. The complex  is over 1000 years old and includes about 100 grottos with nearly 2000 statues of different sizes. The latter are carved in sandstone and show strong weathering today.

After detailed documentation, art historical research and analysis, partly with 3D measurement and virtual reconstruction, the work focussed on the preparation of a restoration concept for the grotto no. 10. After extensive stone examinations and consolidation tests in the laboratory, the silicic acid ester emulsion KSE OH by Remmers was recommended as a consolidant for the grotto a stone consolidation material, also based on KSE, was developed. The restoration of the sandstone of the grotto was carried out during a work stay in 2013 in co-operation with the Chinese colleagues in Anyue.
 

Dr. Mathias Kocher (2007-2013)

Dr. Zhao Zhou, Institute for East Asian Art History, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg

Felix Horn, Graduate Restorer (2007-2009)