北魏 石灰石浮雕「一佛二菩薩」立像龕

the limestone slab of upright rectangular section, carved with an architectural niche enclosing a central standing Buddha, his voluminous robe draping from broad shoulders and opening at the chest revealing an undergarment and pleated folds, his hands in abhaya and varadamudra, his face with fine features portraying a benevolent expression, all framed by long pendulous earlobes and smooth hair swept up in a high topknot against a shallow mandorla of radiating petals, flanked by two standing bodhisattvas similarly carved, each with one pendent hand clutching a yue axe, and the other hand raised holding a lotus bud, the face with fine features and a serene expression, all surrounded by a continuous band of scrolling foliage incised on the framing pillars and lintel, the latter supporting a gallery of seven low-relief carved dhyani Buddhas seated within recessed alcoves, all below incised lotus buds divided by serrated leaves along the upper edge, the stone with remains of pinkish buff-coloured sand on the surface, wood stand  

購於五十至六十年代

This is a fragment of an architectural niche in its expected truncated condition as visible on the photo. There is some wear and weathering on the surface in keeping with age. There is an old chip to the chin of the central buddha, to his nose, to his left hand, and some old flakes of varying sizes along the bottom edge, all visible on the illustration in the catalogue. Otherwise there does not appear to be any recent damages or restorations. There are some age cracks and wear to the old wood stand which is otherwise in good 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."

北魏時期，興起石雕佛教造像碑，此立像龕屬同類石雕之佳例。此類石碑多採用當地石材，並記錄製作年份、供養人名字、及心願或目的。一類同石碑，源於山東，後為海牙 von der Heydt 收藏，錄於 Osvald Sirén，《Chinese Sculpture from the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century》，卷1，紐約，1970年，圖版 164，雕刻風格類同，簡潔而流暢，背光作蔓藤花紋，如同現例。亦參考東京根津美術館藏一例，載於松原三郎，《中国仏敎彫刻史論》，東京，1995年，圖版編一，圖版114b，同錄另一近類作例，藏於三藩市亞洲藝術博物館，圖版207。