A RARE YELLOW MARBLE FIGURE OF AVALOKITESHVARA NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY, DATED TO THE THIRD YEAR OF WUDING PERIOD (IN ACCORDANCE WITH 545) |

carved in the form of Avalokiteshvara standing sturdily against a flame-shaped mandorla on a lotus base supported on a rectangular plinth, the figure portrayed with both elbows bent, depicted adorned in robes cascading in voluminous folds, the serene expression framed by a cowl, two sides of the plinth with a dedicatory inscription dated to the 23rd day of the fifth month of the third year of the Wuding period (in accordance with 545), which can be translated as 'Monk Biqiu patronising a figure of Avalokiteshvara', traces of red pigment

Collection of Sakamoto Gorō (1923-2016).

Sekibutsu [Stone Buddhas], Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Osaka, 1953, cat. no. 27.
Toyo Bijutsu Bunka Ten - Himerareta 3000nen [Eastern Art Culture Exhibition - Hidden 3,000 years], The Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Aichi, 1958, p. 31.
Saburo Matsubara, Chugoku Bukkyo Chokokushi Kenkyu [Chinese Buddhist Sculpture - A study based on bronze and stone statues other than works from cave temples], Tokyo, 1966, p. 120b.
Chūgoku bijutsu ten series. Rikucho no bijutsu [Chinese art exhibition series. The art of Six Dynasties], Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Osaka, 1975, cat. no. 3-90.
Saburo Matsubara, Chugoku Bukkyo Chokokushi Kenkyu [Chinese Buddhist Sculpture -A study based on bronze and stone statues other than works from cave temples], Tokyo, 1995, p. 274a.

Masao Kitano, Chūgoku Seki Butsuzou/Chinese Stone Buddha Images, Kyoto, 1958, pl. 34.

The upper section of the mandorla has been professionally restored and there are chips to the extremities, including the edges of the mandorla, headdress and plinth as visible in the catalogue illustration. The figure is otherwise in good structural condition.
"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 inscription on the Japanese wood box was written by Seiichi Mizuno (1905-1971) in 1971.