Caves of Mogao Art Available from Footsteps for International Preservation to Help Save Endangered Silk Road Relics and Historical Treasures

Caves of Mogao Art Available from Footsteps for International Preservation to Help Save Endangered Silk Road Relics and Historical Treasures

Funds Raised Through Sales of Art Prints, Jewelry and Apparel Will Help Preserve One of the World's Largest Collections of Historical Treasures From Destruction and the Encroaching Desert

VERO BEACH, Fla., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Caves of Mogao, commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, are a series of 492 cave temple grottoes carved into cliffs along the Silk Road at the far western end of the Great Wall of China. The Caves comprise the world's largest stone cave library and house irreplaceable wall fresco paintings, statues, relics and manuscripts dating from 366 A.D. to 1368 A.D. For the first time, art prints depicting some of the incredible scenes from the 292,000 sq. ft. of wall paintings are available to the public, as part of the Caves of Mogao Preservation Kit developed to raise awareness of the plight of the Caves and help fund preservation efforts. To see photos of the caves as well as the artwork, jewelry and apparel available, visit http://www.shiningtiger.com/ .

The Caves of Mogao were designated a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1987, significant as a key crossroad to early civilizations and a modern day link to art, culture and religious artifacts dating from the fourth to the fourteenth centuries.

After explorers opened the caves in the last century, exposing, vandalizing and plundering the once-protected grottoes, the fragile art and artifacts were subjected to destruction. Today, the encroaching desert threatens to destroy the treasures of the caves. Researchers, preservationists and historians from the Getty Conservation Institute, The Mellon Foundation and Northwestern University are among the leading institutions working to prevent further damage to the caves, artwork and historical treasures.

For over 1,000 years, Buddhist monks dedicated their lives to this project, carving hundreds of caves each over one mile long, into the cliffs. They also created or saved hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, including the world's oldest printed book, 50,000 sutras, and astounding wall paintings. Among the discoveries in the grottoes were original pages from the Old Testament, Book of Psalms; the world's largest treasury of art representing the life, teachings and religious principles of Buddhism; and historical treasures from the ten most famous Chinese dynasties.

To enjoy the wonders of the caves and help in the preservation effort, a Caves of Mogao Preservation Kit, which contains an original 12" by 18" art poster, a map of the endangered cave site, information brochure and much more, is available for $39.95, with discounts for students and qualified organizations. Additional items are also available including additional artwork, jewelry, apparel and accents. To help celebrate Chinese New Year, special bracelets for each year of the zodiac are also available at http://www.shiningtiger.com/, or by phone at 888-817-8100.

About Shining Tiger Enterprises and Footsteps for International Preservation

Footsteps for International Preservation was established to help preserve our planet's rapidly disappearing global art and historical sites that are threatened by theft, destruction and deterioration. Shining Tiger Enterprises, a Footsteps for International Preservation Project focusing on the Caves of Mogao, will ensure that all contributions and fundraising from educational groups, organizations, corporate sponsors and individuals are monitored and efficiently sent to Dunhuang Academy, stewards for the Cave of Mogao Grottoes, for immediate help and support.


Source: Shining Tiger Enterprises

CONTACT: Donna Baker Schwenk, Treasure Coast Advertising, Inc.,
+1-207-833-6877, or donna1chi@aol.com, for Shining Tiger Enterprises

Web site: http://www.shiningtiger.com/

EDITORS' ADVISORY: Photos of the Caves of Mogao and wall paintings are available upon request.

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