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.
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. 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. 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 www.zacke.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.