- 14
A SANDSTONE HEAD NORTHERN WEI, POSSIBLY YUNGANG
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
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Description
the elongated face with calm expression and gentle smile above a dimpled chin, the narrow eyes set diagonally below the gracefully arched brows, the hair parted in the middle and pulled into a tall chignon and enhanced with black pigment, the granular stone of a buff color, mounted to a wood stand
Provenance
Mayuyama & Co., Ltd, Tokyo, acquired between 1960-1969.
Condition
There is the expected wear, loss to the pigment and removal marks typical of this kind of head. The head has not been examined off of its wood stand.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
This stone head is very close stylistically to some of the bodhisattva heads from the Yungang cave, Shanxi; see Chinese Buddhist Sculpture from the Wei Through the Tang Dynasties, The National Museum of History, Taipei, 1983, nos. 2,3, 4,5,6, although the hairstyle of this figure differs substantially from the others.