The sculpture consists of an octagonal block of marble with eight niches hollowed out in the sides alternatively occupied by Yakchas and lions. The figures have suffered considerably and the destruction of the heads suggests deliberate mutilation. The top of the block is also hollowed out as if to receive another piece. A fact which taken together with similar sculptures which still remain in their original state, leaves little doubt that the present block originally formed one of the units of a monument consisting of a series of superimposed locks, such as a small pagoda or the memorial to an abbot. Tokiwa Daijo and Sekino Tadashi (Buddhist monuments in China, 1925-1928, Vol. III, pl. 9, 10, 13, 14, and Vol. V, pl. 19, 25, 137); illustrate a number of such sculptured pillars, mostly in the province of Shan-Hsi, including one dated A.D. 857. the majority conforms fairly strictly to type, with a block such as the Museum’s example forming one of the first two units.