Description
A RARE SANDSTONE HEAD OF BUDDHA, NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY, 5TH-6TH CENTURY
Probably from Yungang, the face carved with a pleasant expression and the lips pulled up into a gentle smile, all framed by the large, simply carved ears and the curve of the hair which is surmounted by a rounded usnisa. The granular stone of mottled buff color.
Provenance: From a Swiss private collection. Acquired by the father of the previous owner ca. 1960 and thence by descent. An Austrian private collector, acquired from the above. The backside with old inventory number “4519” painted in red.
Condition: Strong wear and weathering, encrustations, some losses, one segment of the neck has been broken off and reattached. Overall superb condition considering the age of this lot. The painted inventory number on the back cannot be removed.
Scientific Report: A detailed microanalysis report, issued by Laboratoire M.S.M.A.P. SARL, Sciences des Matériaux Anciens et du Patrimoine - Etude des objets d’art, Nr. 20-033 OA (dated 02/18/20) is accompanying this object. The report states that the characteristics of the present lot are “in accordance with the assumed origin and age of the object.” (please see scans of the report online at )
Weight: 5 kg (including base)
Dimensions: Height 24.5 cm (the head) and 39 cm (the head including the base)
Associated modern wood base. (2)
Auction result comparison: Compare with a related head at Christie’s New York in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 16-17 September 2010, lot 1002, sold for USD $35,000.
罕見的砂岩佛陀頭像,五至六世紀
可能來自云岡,臉上刻著愉悅的表情,嘴唇勾勒出溫柔的笑容,簡單雕刻的大耳朵和捲曲頭髮上的肉髻。 石料呈斑駁的淺黃色的粒狀。
來源:瑞士私人收藏。先藏家的父親1960年代購置,保存至今。一個奧地利私人藏家,購於上述收藏。背面有紅色收藏編號 “4519”。
品相:嚴重磨損和風化、結殼、一些損失,脖子的一部分已折斷並重新連接。 考慮到頭像的年代,整體狀況極好。 背面的收藏編號無法清除。
科學報告:隨附研究所科學測試報告。
重量:含底座5公斤
尺寸:頭像高24.5厘米,含底座39厘米