Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (Sep 2024)

The building system and modeling evolution characteristics from the stacked patios to the pingqi of the grotto

  • QiangQiang Pei,
  • Xinyu Shen,
  • Qi Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2024.2397118
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 0, no. 0
pp. 1 – 25

Abstract

Read online

This paper takes the cave top Pingqi as the breakthrough point, discusses the relationship between the building system and the shape evolution from the lantern roof in the dwellings of Central Asia to the caisery in the grottoes of Xinjiang and then to the Dunhuang cave top Pingqi, discusses and analyzes the process of the integration and mutual learning, absorption and tolerance, innovation and development of Chinese and western cultures in the process, and combines them. Through the comparative analysis of the historical background, structural characteristics and spatial layout of various types of architectural forms, as well as the investigation of their evolution from focusing on functional needs to focusing on decorative art in different periods, we strive to sort out the origin and evolution of the decorative style of cave top Pingqi. The final conclusions of the study are as follows: Dunhuang Mogao Grottoe-roof decoration has experienced the imitation, inheritance, reference and innovation of the architectural style of the roof of Central Asia, Xinjiang and the Central Plains. It can be traced back to the wooden architectural style of “lantern well” in India and Central Asia, as well as the basic functional style of “chimney” in the early Central Plains. The evolution process of roof decoration in different periods is completely preserved in the existing grottoes. Showing the overall evolution process of “chimney”, “lantern well”, “stacked patios”, “sculpture Pingqi” and “drawing Pingqi”, the style of Pingqi in Mogao Grottle-No. 428 has become a typical representative of the evolution of “drawing Pingqi” in the Northern Dynasty, highlighting the deep integration of Chinese and western culture and architectural art, which is of great significance to the study of Chinese traditional architectural history and grotle-decorative art.

Keywords