ABSTRACT This study investigated the minute pigment samples obtained from the Daoist statue “Lord of Longevity and Life Protection” in the fourth niche at Heming Mountain, constructed in the Tang Dynasty. The chemical elements and mineral composition of the pigmented fragments were identified using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). The results revealed that the green pigment was composed of malachite, mimetite, and atacamite, while cinnabar, minium, and hematite constituted the red pigments. The blackish‐brown parts consisted of anglesite, generated from the sulfation degradation of the red minium. A barium‐associated mineral was found in the blue robe border. Additionally, hydrocerussite was applied in all painted areas of the statue. Finally, the identity of this grotto statue was discussed, combining the color decoration and Daoist scriptures.
Ding et al. (Fri,) studied this question.