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A RARE ANDESITE HEAD OF A BUDDHIST MONK, CENTRAL JAVA, 9TH CENTURY
奥地利
04月10日 下午5点 开拍
拍品描述
Expert's note:Based on historical accounts, Javanese statues of monks such as the present lot likely represent notable historical figures. One candidate is the Tang-dynasty Buddhist monk Yijing (635-713), whose account of his travels are an important source for the history of the medieval kingdoms along the sea route between China and India, especially Srivijaya in Indonesia. Yijing's visits to Srivijaya gave him the opportunity to meet with other monks who had come from neighboring islands.Superbly carved with a serene expression marked by skillfully incised downcast eyes beneath elegantly arched eyebrows centered by an urna above a prominent aquiline nose and full bow-shaped lips forming a gentle smile, flanked by elongated earlobes, the hair kept short with a distinctive hairline. Provenance: An old private collection in Nice, France. A private collection in Chicago, Illinois, acquired from the above. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, obvious losses, signs of weathering and erosion, nicks, and chips. Weight: 14.6 kg (excl. stand), 19.3 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 30.5 cm (excl. stand), 44 cm (incl. stand)Mounted to a modern stand. (2)Only a small number of monk's heads from the Central Javanese Period have come to the market, with nearly all of them currently housed in museums across Asia. Each features pierced earlobes, elongated from wearing heavy jewelry, indicating that these were not ordinary monks, but likely portraying princes or other individuals of noble birth. The subtle variations in their shapes and expressions suggest that these heads do not simply represent a type or class, but are likely portraits of real individuals, most probably notable donors or other important figures of the time. Inscriptions show that Buddhism in Java paid considerable attention to the personal merit of donors, stimulating the creation of portrait sculpture in relief and in the round, like the present lot. The Buddhist temple complex of Candi Plaosan was built in the mid-9th century by Sri Kahulunnan or Pramodhawardhani, the daughter of Samaratungga, a descendant of the Sailendra Dynasty. It comprises two Buddhist temples, Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul, each two stories high in a rectangular courtyard surrounded by three rows of subsidiary structures. The inner row, as well as the buildings at the four corners, are small temples. The other structures are stupas. To judge from the large number of brief inscriptions that have been carved in stones of the subsidiary buildings, the Plaosan complex was built with the generous assistance of a large number of dignitaries, led by the King himself.Literature comparison: Compare a closely related, complete seated andesite figure of a monk with a similar head, illustrated by Jan Fontein, The Sculpture of Indonesia, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 1990, pp. 138-139. Notice the striking similarities in form, from the nose and mouth structure to the broad enlargement of the cranium. Fontein notes that the figure illustrated is the only complete example known to have been found. He also suggests that Candi Plaosan is the most likely place of origin, as it was constructed with the substantial support of many dignitaries. The temple features unique figures, such as the full monk depicted, carved in high relief, along with inscriptions recording the names and titles of numerous donors. Fontein theorizes that this context, where acts of merit and generosity were combined with the construction of a monumental temple, provided the ideal environment for such individual portraiture to emerge in Java.Auction result comparison:Type: Closely related Auction: Christie's Paris, 7 June 2011, lot 378Price: EUR 37,000 or approx. EUR 46,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing: A rare volcanic stone head of a monk, Indonesia, Central Java, 9th centuryExpert remark: Compare the similar treatment of the face and ears as well as the weathered condition and the size (32 cm). While the two heads are of comparable size and form, the current lot is a standout amongst the extremely small group of monk's heads that have come to market with a degree of artistic mastery akin to that of a top sculptor, which is particular evident when viewed in profile.

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拍品估价:3,000 - 6,000 欧元 起拍价格:3,000 欧元  买家佣金: 35.00%

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