A LARGE 'YUNGANG' SANDSTONE HEAD OF BUDDHA NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY

the eyebrows rising across the broad brow in a slight curve issuing from the low bridge of the nose, the eyes with gaze gently cast downwards, with small full lips upturned at the corners in a benevolent smile, the slender face framed by ears ending in fragmentary pendulous lobes, all beneath a straight hairline, the thick hair piled high in a large ushnisha, metal stand

Howard Hollis & Co., 1957.
Collection of Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh (inventory no. 57.45.1).
Eskenazi Ltd., London.

As expected due to the fragile nature of sandstone sculpture, there are losses and breaks to the head but it is structurally intact with no impact on its aesthetic value. There are losses to the reverse. Photos are available upon request. There is a consolidated break running along the hair between the ears. There is also consolidation to the lower part of the nose and other minor areas.
"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 carving of this head draws on the tradition of the Yungang caves near Datong in Shanxi province, which were largely constructed between 398 AD and 494 AD, when Pingcheng, modern Datong, was capital of the Northern Wei period.  Several sandstone carved heads of the Buddha with similar features can be seen in the niches of Cave I or II.

Compare a sandstone head of a Buddha from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with similar features but a slightly different treatment of the eyes, illustrated in Handbook of the Collection, 1993, p. 303; and a complete standing figure with a similar head, in the Musée Guimet, Paris, published in Chinese Art in Overseas Collections: Buddhist Sculpture, vol. II, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 9. For a head of similar quality sold at auction, see a smaller sandstone head of Buddha from the collection of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York, sold in our New York rooms, 20th March 2007, lot 727.