A LARGE LIMESTONE 'LONGMEN' HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA EARLY TANG DYNASTY, 7TH CENTURY

the elongated face sensitively carved conveying a serene expression,  the eyes half-closed in contemplation above gently arched brows, the straight nose over the full lips, the hair drawn back and up in distinct braids and coiled on top into a high chignon, the stone a dark tone with mottling throughout

Collection of Arthur Wiesenberger (1896-1970) and thence by descent.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, on loan, 1960s to June 21, 1973.

The sculpture with restoration to the chin (with an associated crack extending down the neck), the bridge of the nose, one eye lid and a small area above the brow. There is a crack across the forehead extending from ear to ear with small areas of fill, and a crack around the chignon. The cracks around the chin, forehead and chignon could be restored breaks. Minor scattered nicks and chips throughout the surface. There is a chip to the headdress. There is fill to the top of the headdress.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The refined carving of the facial features, the high elaborate chignon and very earthly quality of this bodhisattva relate to several similar examples from the Longmen caves; one is in the Avery Brundage Collection, illustrated in Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Japan, 1974, p. 222, no. 110. Other related sculptures are illustrated in Longmen liusan diaoxiang ji, Shanghai, 1993, pls. 72, 77 and 79. A closely related head of a bodhisattva of slightly small size was sold in these rooms 15th September 2010, lot 298.