Sacred sculpture
Reference articles are in English.
A marble sculpture of Vairocana Buddha, ninth–tenth century, from the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection. Source
Description
Sacred sculpture is made for religious or devotional use. Stone works can include figures, reliefs, crosses and symbolic forms. Their subject, gesture and placement are understood within the relevant tradition and community, with inscriptions and surface treatments contributing to the design.
History
Religious stone carving has served places of worship across many cultures. Medieval European churches used figures and narrative carving on their portals and within their architecture, combining instruction, devotion and ornament.
Commissioning
The brief should identify the figure or symbol, references, scale and setting. Reviews and approvals should involve the relevant community. An original work and the replacement of a historic carving require different kinds of design evidence.