北齊 石灰岩雕菩薩手持淨瓶殘件

carved almost in the round as the left hand of a large figure of a bodhisattva grasping the neck of a water kalash, the sleeve falling in tight folds over the wrist, traces of pigment (2)

1971年購於紐約戴潤齋公司。
阿瑟·姆·賽克勒收藏。
紐約佳士得2009年3月18日，拍品編號354。

There are evident restored breaks to the lower section of the outer edge of the sleeve and there are other areas of old restoration to superficial chips and flakes. The fine, bold carving of the simple grasping gesture conveys the monumentality of the whole.
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.

This large stone hand originally belonged to the figure of a boddhisattva of impressive size. Recent research on the Buddhist cave temples at Xiangtangshan in southern Hebei province has brought to light several pieces formerly identified as having come from the Longmen caves. However, a stylistic comparison with several large stone hands known to have come from the Xiangtangshan site, shows strong similarities between the present lot and the Xiangtangshan hands. See, for instance, two extremely large hands of Maitreya, illustrated in Katherine R. Tsiang, Echoes from the Past: The Buddhist Cave Temples of Xiangtangshan, Washington D.C., 2010, pp. 162-165, cat. nos., 2 and 3. Compare also several free-standing figures of bodhisattvas grasping objects in one hand, ibid., pp. 204-211, cat. nos., 20-23.