Comprehensive research of the painted statues of Tutang Buddha and two attendants Buddha in Jingyin Temple, Taiyuan, China

Abstract The painted statues of Tutang Buddha and two attendants Buddha in Jingyin Temple, with exquisite design and unique style, are precious cultural heritages of China. The statue of Tutang Buddha which was carved from a mound and painted by ancient craftsmen, is rarely found in ancient China. However, on account of the influence of natural factors and artificial harms, the statues were severly damaged. Obviously, it requires urgently carrying out appropriate protection and restoration of the statues. In this study, the samples taken from the statues were analysed by multiple analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), biological microscopy and particle size analysis. The analysis enabled us to infer the techniques used by the creators in making the statues. This research provides reliable evidence for the conservation and future protection of these and similar statues.