隋 / 唐 砂岩石浮雕羅漢頭像

possibly of Ananda or Kasyapa, the oval-shaped tonsured head with slender hooded eyes below arched brows, a straight nose, a bud mouth with full lips, and pendulous earlobes, portrayed in a benevolent expression accented by laugh lines framing the double chin, the grey sandstone with a white layer and traces of flesh-toned and vermillion pigments remaining, wood stand

購於五十至六十年代

The overall condition is consistent with age with surface wear and expected pitting in the sandstone. This is a wall fragment in its expected fragmentary condition as visible on the photo. The rear of the head and a section of the neck are truncated and there is surface wear and pitting consistent with age. There is otherwise no visible recent damages or chips. There are traces of an old flesh-toned pigment on the face and of a red pigment within the lips. The old wood stand is 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."

此優美佛教羅漢頭像，似為阿難或迦葉，展現六世紀末至七世紀初期宗教雕像之高度。此類造像，面頰豐腴，表情詳和，慈目半睜，豐唇微笑。諸佛中，阿難代表多聞智慧，迦葉則代表常修苦行。

可比兩從者例，開臉相若，錄於 Osvald Sirén， 《Chinese Sculpture from the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century》，卷1，紐約，1970年，圖版371、414，前者屬紐約 Grenville Winthrop 收藏，後者源自甘肅省敦煌千佛洞，現存法國巴黎盧浮宮 Mission Pelliot 典藏。

見一石灰石雕從者頭像，年代略早，售於紐約蘇富比2012年9月12日，編號117。另有一例，售於紐約蘇富比2007年3月20日，編號738，屬日本私人收藏。比較一從者立像，載於 Osvald Sirén，《Kinesiska och Japanska Skulpturer och Malningar, Nationalmuseum》，馬爾摩，1931年，圖版25。另比一唐代例，刊於 Osvald Sirén，《Chinese Sculpture from the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century》，卷3，紐約，1970年，圖版371b。亦比一羅漢像，售於紐約蘇富比2012年9月11/12日，編號115。最後一例，載於松原三郎，《中国仏敎彫刻史研究》，東京，1966年，圖版279。