Museum Updates
Discover the lost colors of ancient sculptures on view in Shanxi
Updated: Sep 9, 2026
China Bound
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Who stole the colors from the ancient sculptures on view at Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan, Shanxi province? The colors of most sculptures dating back further fade into a greyish hue. While a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) sculpture of Buddha in Nirvana still maintains vivid yellow, blue, and red colors.
Ancient artists mixed mineral pigments with animal and plant-based glue. Over centuries, the binding material aged and lost its strength, causing layers of paint to gradually peel away.
If you could bring back just one lost color, which would you choose? Tell us below!
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