The study of the sculptural polychrome of Cave 6 at Yungang was part of an overall program of investigation of the site by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) in its China Project. In accordance with the overall philosophy of the China Project, the primary goal of the research work presented in this paper was to determine the nature of the original polychrome and its present condition. The information collected would provide the basis for designing a conservation treatment to preserve the cave and to prevent further deterioration. The study showed that the surviving polychrome is extremely fragile, a result of oth its original technique and deterioration. Failure of adhesion occurs at the various interfaces: between support and ground, ground and paint layer, and between subsequent phases of repainting. This has significant implications for its preservation since it is highly susceptible to mechanical damage. As a result, recommendations that the regular dusting methods be discontinued were adopted at the site.