A FINELY CARVED LIMESTONE TORSO OF A BODHISATTVA

Details

A FINELY CARVED LIMESTONE TORSO OF A BODHISATTVA
TANG DYNASTY, POSSIBLY FROM LONGMEN

The supple-bodied Deity standing in a sinuous pose on a lotus base with right hip thrust to one side below a raised arm (now partially missing), the left hand extended to the side grasping a fold of drapery, dressed in loosely fitting robes falling in rhythmic folds to the ankles, the dhoti rolled around the belt at the waist, the shoulders covered with long scarves, adorned with a wide necklace and bracelets on the left wrist, lotus base partially broken, right hand missing, old chips
24 in. (60 cm.) high

Provenance

James W. and Marilyn Alsdorf Collection, Chicago.
Acquired from Alics Boney, New York (September 1957).
Ada Dodsworth Collection (Purchased in the 1920s).

Literature

J.V. Sewell, 'Chinese Art from the Collection of James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf', Chicago, 1970, no. s23a.

Exhibited

Eskenazi, The Alsdorf Collection, June 1990, Catalogue, no. 17.
The Arts Club in Chicago, 1970.

Lot Essay

The pose and modelling of the supple torso and 'U'-shaped folds of the skirt can be seen on other Bodhisattvas in such caves as Jinan, Erlianhua South and Leigutai Middle Caves, which are believed to be from the late Seventh and early Eighth centuries. See Longmen wenwu baoguan suo and Beijing daxue kaoguxi, Zhongguo Shiku (Chugoku sekkutsu); Longmen Shiku, vol. 2, Tokyo and Beijing: Heibonsha and Wenwu Press, 1988, pls. 187, 188, 194 and 256; and Longmen wenwu baoguan suo, Longmen shiju, Beijing Wenwu Press, 1980, pls. 184 and 185.

(US$35,000-40,000)

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