A STONE STELE OF BUDDHA AND ATTENDANTS

EASTERN WEI DYNASTY (AD 534-550), DATED BY INSCRIPTION TO THE 2ND YEAR OF XINGHE (AD 540)

Details

A STONE STELE OF BUDDHA AND ATTENDANTS
EASTERN WEI DYNASTY (AD 534-550), DATED BY INSCRIPTION TO THE 2ND YEAR OF XINGHE (AD 540)
The front is carved in high relief with Buddha seated in dhyanasana with the right hand held in abhayamudra and the left hand in varadamudra. He is flanked by two standing bodhisattvas wearing lotus crowns that are carved into the aureole, and by two recumbent lions with turned heads carved in high relief, while the back is carved in low relief with the bodhisattva Maitreya seated between two standing Buddhas of the Past, all above the base with central opening that is carved around the sides with a dedicatory inscription dated to the 15th day, 7th month, 2nd year of Xinghe (AD 540).
8 ½ in. (21.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Private collection, Japan, acquired prior to 1930.

Lot Essay

The inscription, dated to the 15th day, 7th month, 2nd year of Xinghe (AD 540), includes the various donors' dedicatory inscriptions. The donors are numerous and the inscriptions are carved not only on the sides of the base but also on the outer sides of the aureole.

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