- 94
Rare fragment de bas-relief en pierre VE/VIE siècle
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 EUR
bidding is closed
Description
- Limestone
représentant une apsara allongée de profil, tenant un fruit dans les mains, ses hanches couvertes d'une légère étoffe, une fine étole flottant autour de ses épaules, le visage serein sous une coiffure élaborée et un haut chignon, traces de polychromie, socle en bois (2)
Condition
The fragment is in overall very good condition. It is complete in one piece with no signs of any breaks (neither back or front). It is roughly hewn on the back where the stone is a lighter dark grey with some whitish veins running through the stone. There are two ca. 1 and 0,5cm wide old chips to the elbows of the figure and several smaller old chips to the folds of the robe. There are traces of gesso in the recesses of the carving as well as traces of red pigment to the body and robe of the figure. The colour of the stone is slightly darker than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Depictions of apsaras in half profile with elongated bodies in subtle movements are characteristic of the sculptural style of the Northern Dynasties during the 6th century AD as found in the cave temples at Gongxian, Henan, and Xiangtangshan, Hebei. Compare examples from Gongxian, illustrated in Gongxian shiku si, Beijing, 1963, pp. 27, 34, 146; see also a grey schist apsara attributed to Xiangtangshan, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29th and 30th April 1997, lot 711.