† A WHITE MARBLE BUST OF A BODHISATTVA, NORTHERN QI DYNASTY

拍品描述

† A WHITE MARBLE BUST OF A BODHISATTVA, NORTHERN QI DYNASTY China, 550-577. Finely carved, the slender figure is clad in long, flowing robes, with a shawl draped over the shoulders cascading gracefully down the body, its ends secured by a distinctive knot at the front of the waist. The hands emerge from beneath the voluminous garments, the right is raised holding a conch shell, while the left is lowered, grasping another of the figure’s attributes. The face, of rounded, fleshy features, bears a serene, contemplative expression conveyed through heavy-lidded eyes, a broad nose, and full lips forming a subtle smile. The hair is neatly arranged and secured beneath a prominent tiara, while a large circular halo frames the head from behind. Dimensions: Height 12.4 cm (excl. stand), 16.9 cm (incl. stand) With an modern metal stand. (2) This delicately carved marble figure is remarkable for its crisp lines that capture the elegant characteristic of the sculpture of the Northern Qi dynasty. The sense of ethereal grace of this bodhisattva is heightened by the subtly carved layers of minimalist robes and by the simple yet elegant ornaments decorating the figure. According to Osvald Siren in ‘Chinese Marble Sculptures of the Transition Period’, Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, no. 12, Stockholm, 1940, p. 473-96, marble figures carved in this specific and distinct style, where the figure is modeled in a gently rounded form with the details worked in low-relief carving, were made for only a short period in the second half of the sixth century. Buddhism flourished during the Northern Qi dynasty, which saw a great increase in the production of statues and a proliferation of styles. The Qi aristocracy, headed by a military class of nomadic origin, was not only hostile to Chinese influence, but it also had a predilection for the foreign and exotic, especially in art. Hence, a style influenced by the Gupta empire of India acquired pre-eminence soon after the Northern Qi dynasty came to power. Northern Qi figures are generally clad in thin, clinging robes, with an emphasis on portraying the solidity of the body rather than decorative drapery, which was characteristic of figures during the preceding Wei dynasty. This emphasis on the body went hand in hand with increased three-dimensionality. Thus, while Wei dynasty Buddhist figures form a relief with their body nimbuses, Northern Qi sculptures often stand free of their backgrounds, like the present lot. Stone steles played an important role in the spread and visual expression of Buddhism in China. During the Northern Wei and Eastern Wei dynasties, strong imperial patronage helped establish Buddhism across northern China. At the same time, voluntary religious associations connected to local temples became major patrons of Buddhist monuments. These lay communities commissioned steles both as devotional offerings and as markers of their collective religious identity. Because stone was readily available and steles were relatively small in scale, numerous regional workshops emerged, each developing distinctive styles inspired in part by the monumental carvings of Buddhist cave temples. Many stone Buddhist sculptures were originally brightly painted, as were the temple interiors in which they were displayed. Literature comparison: Compare a related limestone Buddhist stele depicting Buddha Shakyamuni with a similar figure of a bodhisattva to his left, China, dated Eastern Wei to Northern dynasties, c. 534-589, 61 cm high (overall), in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, accession number 128.1988. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Ravenel, Taipei, 6 March 2017, lot 686 Mid-Estimate: TWD 300,000 or approx. EUR 11,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of carving, and stone. Note the size (16 cm) and similar state of preservation. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2019, lot 1224 Price: USD 56,250 or approx. EUR 64,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related modeling, manner of carving, and stone with similar pose, treatment of the layered drapery, and facial features. Note the much larger size (45.1 cm). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

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