China Stamps - 2002-13, Scott 3209-12 Dazu Stone Carvings - MNH, F-VF - (93209)

China Stamps - 2002-13, Scott 3209-12 Dazu Stone Carvings - MNH, F-VF : The over 50,000 stone carvings on the precipices in Dazu County, Sichuan Province are distributed in 40-odd spots in the North and Holy Summit Mountains and other places. Most of them are Buddhist carvings, the rest being Taoist and Confucian. The earliest carvings date back to AD 650 in the Tang Dynasty. Most carvings were done in the Song Dynasty, and some in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The large group of carvings includes a rich variety of subjects and images. Besides large and small carvings of Buddha, there are carvings of palaces , birds, animals, landscapes, etc. With perfect workmanship, great variety, and national and popular characteristics, the carvings are distinct in Chinese grotto art, being one of the representatives of later Chinese grottos.