Northern Qi Dynasty White Marble Head of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (6th Century A.D.)

拍品描述

Dimensions：Height 25cm (9.84 in), Width 14cm (5.51 in), 6th Century A.D.Condition & Provenance：The sculpture survives as a bodhisattva head, broken at the neck. Natural age‑related stone fissures are visible across the surface. Traces of original red pigment remain on the lips. Earthen patina and wear from long‑term burial and age cover parts of the marble. Comes with custom modern metal display mount. Provenance: Private collection, San Francisco, California, USA. This piece entered this private collection back in the 1990s.Description：This exquisite marble head is a prime example of Northern Qi Buddhist stone carving from the Quyang workshop tradition, one of the most celebrated Chinese Buddhist art movements of the 6th century. Carved from a single block of fine white marble, the bodhisattva displays full, soft‑modelled facial features. The eyes are gently closed with smoothly rendered eyelids, conveying deep meditative calm. The corners of the mouth lift faintly in the subtle, serene “Eastern Smile” characteristic of Northern Qi sculpture. Faded original red pigment still lingers on the lips, a rare survival of ancient painted decoration. The elaborate headdress features a central floral plaque, openwork ribbon loops on both sides, and finely incised lines defining hair and headband details. The ears are naturally shaped with clear inner ear contours. The reverse side shows the full three‑dimensional structure of the crown, marked by original carving lines and rough ancient chisel marks at the broken base. Earthy encrustations and patina across the stone record centuries of passage. Quyang marble artisans reached extraordinary heights during the Northern Qi era. This head prioritizes spiritual aura over excessive ornamentation. Master carvers used restrained, fluid carving techniques to create a powerfully tranquil, compassionate presence. Even without the body, this fragment delivers overwhelming visual impact. It represents the pinnacle of Northern Dynasties Buddhist sculpture and holds significant artistic, historical and collecting value.

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