NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY, LATE 5TH-EARLY 6TH CENTURY

The emphasis on frontality, symmetry and angular lines are characteristic of grey pottery figures of the Northern Wei period, as well as gilt-bronze Buddhist figures of early sixth century date, such as the figure of Buddha illustrated by A. Juliano in Art of the Six Dynasties, China Institute in America, New York, 1975, no. 49, which, like the present figure, displays a gentle smile characteristic of Northern Wei figures.