A GILT AND POLYCHROME LIMESTONE RELIEF FRAGMENT OF BUDDHA NORTHERN QI DYNASTY

carved seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base, wearing a long robe draped diagonally across the left shoulder leaving the torso partially bare and sweeping over his arms and knees, the right hand raised in abhayamudra, and the left with palm down in bhumisparsamudra, his rounded face with delicate features portrayed in a meditative expression, below smooth hair covering the domed ushnisha, with extensive, possibly original, gilding adhering to the surface, predominantly on the robe but also on the face, and red pigment applied to the truncated lotus base and halo, wood stand

Acquired between the 1950s and 60s.

There is an old surface chip to the right edge of the raised hand and the lotus and halo are truncated as visible on the photo. The gilding and paint are typically rubbed and worn. Beside this there seems to be no recent restorations or damages.
"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 simplicity of the carving seen here is reminiscent of a seated Buddha figure, dated in accordance with AD 551, illustrated in Matsubara Saburō, Chūgoku bukkyō chōkoku shiron/Chinese Buddhist Sculpture, Tokyo, 1995, plate vol. 2, pl. 469b. Compare also a seated figure with closely related facial features and carved in a comparable style, from the collection of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku), included in the exhibition Chinese Buddhist Stone Sculpture. Veneration of the Sublime, Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts Museum, Osaka, 1995, cat. no. 119.