Tête de bouddha en calcaire gris Chine, dynastie Tang, VIIE-VIIIE siècle, grottes de Longmen

sculptée dans une pierre grise veinée portant des traces d'engobe brunâtre caractéristique des grottes de Longmen, le visage serein, les yeux mi-clos, les arcades sourcilières marquées, les lèvres ourlées, les cheveux coiffés en trois grandes spirales couvrant l'ushnisha très prononcé

Acquis en 1942 à la vente de la collection du Dr Fournier.

One vertical break on the right side of the head towards the back of the cheek coming through the hair right of the Ushnisha and going down vertically on the back of the head ; another break starting from the first break right off the eyebrown and going horizontally through the ear and to the back of the head ; accidents to the tip of the nose and the lips as visible on the catalogue illustration ; old wears visible as expected
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Stylistically this head compares well with other heads of similar date now in public and private collections that are identified as being originally from the Longmen Caves site. These Grottoes are one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites in China.

The present head, is comparable to the widely published head of Buddha in the Avery Brundage Collection, illustrated by d'Argencé, ed., in Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture, Japan, 1974, p. 214, no. 106. See, also, Longmen Caves Research Institute, ed., Longmen liusan diaoxiang ji (The Lost Statues of the Longmen Caves), Shanghai, 1993, p. 49, no. 56, for the same head.
Other comparable heads of similar size are illustrated by Hai-Wai Yi-Chen in Chinese art in Overseas collections Buddhist sculpture (II),publisher: National Palace Museum, see p. 55, no. 63, in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Compare, also, the head, smaller, of a bodhisattva illustrated by Osvald Sirén in Chinese sculptures, see p.141,no. 52, in the von der Heydt Collection, Museum Rietberg, Zürich.

See another very similar head sold by Christie's, 30 March, 2005, lot 222; provenance: Shogado and Company, Kyoto.