A LIMESTONE RELIEF FRAGMENT OF A TRIAD STELE NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY

the limestone slab of upright rectangular section, carved with an architectural niche enclosing a central standing Buddha, his voluminous robe draping from broad shoulders and opening at the chest revealing an undergarment and pleated folds, his hands in abhaya and varadamudra, his face with fine features portraying a benevolent expression, all framed by long pendulous earlobes and smooth hair swept up in a high topknot against a shallow mandorla of radiating petals, flanked by two standing bodhisattvas similarly carved, each with one pendent hand clutching a yue axe, and the other hand raised holding a lotus bud, the face with fine features and a serene expression, all surrounded by a continuous band of scrolling foliage incised on the framing pillars and lintel, the latter supporting a gallery of seven low-relief carved dhyani Buddhas seated within recessed alcoves, all below incised lotus buds divided by serrated leaves along the upper edge, the stone with remains of pinkish buff-coloured sand on the surface, wood stand  

Acquired between the 1950s and 60s.

This is a fragment of an architectural niche in its expected truncated condition as visible on the photo. There is some wear and weathering on the surface in keeping with age. There is an old chip to the chin of the central buddha, to his nose, to his left hand, and some old flakes of varying sizes along the bottom edge, all visible on the illustration in the catalogue. Otherwise there does not appear to be any recent damages or restorations. There are some age cracks and wear to the old wood stand which is otherwise in good condition.
"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 present Buddhist triad stele is a fine example of Northern Wei period carving, when a new genre of Buddhist devotional sculpture arose in the form of stelae with carved images known in Chinese as zaoxiangbei. Stelae of this type are generally made of local stone and inscribed with a date, the donor’s name and a message of intention or purpose. This stele is related to one from Shandong province and later in the von der Heydt collection, The Hague, illustrated in Osvald Sirén, Chinese Sculpture from the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century, vol. 1, New York, 1970, pl. 164, carved in a similar simple but fine style with an attractive arabesque motif around the mandorla as seen here. Compare also a stelae in the Nezu Museum, Tokyo, published in Matsubara Saburō, Chūgoku  bukkyō  chōkoku  shiron/Chinese Buddhist Sculpture, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1995, pl.114b, together with another related stele, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, ibid. pl. 207.