Not only stolen but also shattered, the earliest surviving stone Buddha in Beijing

Since 1499, it had been in good condition, almost celebrating its 1500th birthday, but the Taihe statue, also known as the 'Yan Huiduan statue,' was shattered 😂. It was carved in the 23rd year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty, which is 499 AD, making it 1525 years old now. It is the earliest surviving stone Buddha statue in Beijing and was part of the first batch of municipal-level cultural relic protection units in Beijing, along with the Forbidden City. 📷📷📷📷 Due to its fame, it was stolen in 1998, a major case that shocked the capital that year. With the full efforts of the police 👮, the statue was recovered within half a year. Unfortunately, it had already been shattered into five pieces. The repair marks are still clearly visible. The statue had been in good condition since 1499, almost celebrating its 1500th birthday, but was shattered. It's really a pity when you think about it. 🖼️🖼️🖼️🖼️ The front of the statue features Shakyamuni, flanked by his disciples Ananda and Kasyapa. Surrounding the stone Buddha are 31 musicians and dancers, with distinct reliefs and flowing drapery. The back has 124 small Buddhas. It must be said, the Northern Wei's level of Buddha statue craftsmanship was indeed high. The amount of detail and the sense of relaxation are truly exceptional.