唐 砂岩石浮雕羅漢頭像殘石

the granulated greyish stone with traces of a white layer and flesh-toned pigment, carved in soft rounded volumes as a luohan head truncated around the lower edge and left side of the face while preserving most of the upper right section, the serene face portrayed with meditative expression, with bow-shaped hooded eyes, a straight nose, and finely defined pursed lips picked out with vermilion pigment, all framed by thick, black arching brows below a tonsured head centred with the raised urna on the forehead and the tip of one ear exposed, wood stand

購於五十至六十年代

The nose of the lohan is partly truncated as visible on the photo. There is some age wear and rubbing to the eyebrows and on the cheek from handling but otherwise there is 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."

羅漢乃聖潔尊者，深受禪宗信徒敬崇，於佛教各宗派間皆居要席，如天台、淨土及密宗佛教。同時作為崇尚天然之隱仕，羅漢修為亦體現道家所追奉之信念。本品雕工精妙，臉略側，頭微前傾，宛似冥想，實罕。河南洛陽南郊龍門石窟看經寺石壁見諸多出眾之唐代羅漢雕像。此寺窟於公元690-704年間，由武則天授令開鑿，涵括二十九尊真人大小羅漢造像，相互盼顧，環列洞壁。其中三尊，錄於 Angela Falco Howard 等，《Chinese Sculpture》，紐黑文及北京，2006年，頁302，圖版3.109。

另比兩羅漢例，現仍存龍門石窟萬佛洞，一像略側身，目望其伴，載於《中國美術全集》，卷11，上海，1988年，圖版137。亦見一唐代羅漢正面頭像，售於倫敦佳士得1990年12月10日，編號71。