A RARE LIMESTONE 'LONGMEN' RELIEF FRAGMENTARY HEAD OF A DONOR TANG DYNASTY

the grey stone with traces of white and ochre layers, carved in soft rounded volumes, slightly truncated around the lower right edge while preserving part of the neck, the serene face portrayed with a meditative expression, with slender hooded eyes below arched brows, a straight nose and pursed lips, all framed by voluminous hair defined with incisions covering the ears and swept up in a high topknot, stepped wood stand

Acquired between the 1950s and 60s.

The upper section of the head fragment and lower right edge are originally truncated as visible on the photo. There is wear to the flesh-toned / ochre layer covering the face, consistent with age. Apart from this there is no visible recent restoration or chips.
"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."

The refined carving of the facial features and earthly quality of this head of a lady donor relate to examples from the Longmen cave temple complex near Luoyang in Henan province. For example, see a head illustrated in Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture in the Avery Brundage Collection, Tokyo, 1974, pl. 110; another included in Longmen liusan diaoxiang ji [The lost statues of Longmen caves], Shanghai, 1993, pls. 72, 77 and 79; and a further head sold in our New York rooms, 12th September 2012, lot 118, from the collection of Arthur Wiesenberger and on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from the 1960s to 1973.