北齊 石灰石浮雕響堂山式抱琴飛天

the grey limestone fragment with traces of a white-ground layer, carved in raised relief with a flying aspara strumming a large pear-shaped pipa, the left arm under the neck and the hand fretting the notes along the neck of the lute, her curved body effortlessly floating in mid-air with legs slightly spread and the left knee raised, dressed in a long flowing robe draping in pleated folds between the legs and fluttering toward the sky, her face with small delicate features framed by a high topknot and a billowing scarf draped around the arms and arching above her head, all against a large swirling cloud, wood stand

購於五十至六十年代

The truncated fragment has no apparent recent damages or restorations.
"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."

因依循佛教經卷典籍，對於佛像本尊及從眾菩薩、羅漢造像之刻畫均嚴承制式，而所見佛教之還願聖壇、佛家三聖及壁龕皆輔以飛天散花及飛天奏樂紋飾，於莊重間，平添一縷靈動。相較之下，雕塑中對輔紋之表現，所選媒材豐富，並借助壁畫裝飾，展現雕匠之精卓技藝及對傳統形象之創新嘗試。本品刻劃，宛若天使，身姿微動，輕盈飄逸，屬典型河北省南部響堂山石窟雕像風格。此作浮雕凸顯強烈三維質感，異於傳統淺浮雕手法。

見一相類飛天例，屬 Mary Cohen 夫人及戴潤齋舊藏，載於《International Exhibition of Chinese Art》，英國皇家藝術學院，倫敦，1935年，編號2395，最後售於香港蘇富比1997年4月29日，編號711。另比一例，盧芹齋舊藏，相信出自南響堂山石窟，錄於 Osvald Sirén，《Kinas Konst under Tre Artusenden》，卷1，斯德哥爾摩，1942年，圖版287。亦見響堂山北窟類例，載於《中国の石仏：荘厳なる祈り》，大阪市立美術館，大阪，1995年，編號43。另比一飛天浮雕像，奏彈琵琶，錄於《六朝の美術》，大阪，1976年，圖版226；同錄另一飛天，見圖版225。亦有一吹笛飛天例，刊於《響堂山石窟》，北京，2003年，圖版75。