A Limestone Seated Sakyamuni Buddha with Inscribed Lotus Pedestal Tang Dynasty, Gaozong period, dated in accordance with 670

the deity seated in dyanasana with the right hand (now missing) probably raised in abayamudra and the left resting on his bent knee, dressed in loose fitting robes opened at the chest and held in place by a tassle over his left shoulder, the serene face with slender eyes downturned in contemplation, framed by long pendulous earlobes and a head of tight curls, backed by a rounded mandorla rising from behind the shoulders, all seated on a lotus base, and an inverted hexagonal tiered pedestal with oval beaded panels within the bead-framed sides, joined to a circular collar carved with six round faces each enclosed by a circular frame, all supported on a two-tiered base similarly decorated with oval beaded panels and a band of petal lappets, the foot skirted by a long inscription encircling the entire circumference, written in regular script dated Zongzhang san nian zheng yue yi ri ('the first day of the first month in the third year of the Zongzhang period', corresponding to 670)

The China Bohlken collection, Berlin, formed by Theodor Bohlken (1884-1954).

The overall condition is quite good. There are old losses to the top of the mandorla, the nose and face, the right hand, and the base. The sculpture was cleanly broken around the narrow collar with the faces. The entire sculpture has been placed back on its base with some minor restoration (one of the faces is missing). The front of the foot with the inscription has been rebuilt. There are still traces of gilt pigment on the mandorla.
"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 full-fleshed opulence of this head with its concisely rendered idealised features fully relates to high Tang style. For a Tang dynasty stone stele carved with similar iconography of Sakyamuni Buddha seated on a lotus throne, see the example dated in accordance with 660,  sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2007, lot 93, from the Concordia House collection. See also a smaller marble figure of Sakyamuni of similar iconography, sold in our New York rooms, 23rd March 2004, lot 624.