A DARK GREY STONE HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA

NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY (386-584), LONGMEN CAVES

Details

A DARK GREY STONE HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA
NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY (386-584), LONGMEN CAVES
The long, narrow face carved with small chin and mouth, and straight nose continuing up into the brows that curve over the slit-carved eyes, flanked by large, flat ears, the hair with a centrally parted, curved hairline below the tall three-sided crown carved on the central facet with a seated figure of Amitabha Buddha flanked by foliate motifs at the corners and large flower heads on the side facets
9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm.) high, wood stand

Provenance

Parke Bernet Galleries, New York, lot 127, prior to 1962.

Exhibited

The Columbia University Exhibition of Three Thousand Years of the Ceramic Art and Ancient Sculpture of China, from the Sackler Collections, Low Memorial Library, Columbia University, New York, 11 November 1962 - 18 January 1963.

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Lot Essay

The present lot may be a representation of Maitreya, who is typically shown with legs pendent and crossed in front. See Comprehensive Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese Buddhist Statues in Overseas Collection, Beijing, 2005, p. 201-2 for two Northern Wei examples of Maitreya, also with a figure of Buddha placed at the front of the tall headdress.

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