Lot 144
144
A RARE SANDSTONE HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA

Details
A RARE SANDSTONE HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA
NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY

The face carved with a gently smiling expression below gracefully arched brows and the curve of the hairline across the forehead, surmounted by a large, rounded usnisa, the coarse stone of buff color with some grayish patina--11 5/8 in. (29.5cm.) high, wood stand

Lot Essay

Compare the heads of a number of Buddhas located in the caves of Yungang, illustrated in The Stone Grottos of Yungang, 1977, pl. 31, 32 and 84, which are stylistically similar to the offered example. Compare, also, the light gray sandstone head in the Avery Brundage Collection, illustrated in Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture, 1974, pl. 39