北魏五世紀末 砂岩石浮雕雲岡式菩薩頭像殘石

the granulated grey sandstone with a slight pinkish-buff patina, carved with a head turned slightly to one side, the figure truncated diagonally preserving part of the left shoulder, the rounded face set with small bud lips, below the broad nose and slightly puffy eyes with hooded eyelids, all framed by a high topknot and ribbons trailing down the shoulder, wood stand

購於五十至六十年代

The fragment had been broken and re-glued across the divinity's forehead. Otherwise there is no other 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."

菩薩面露平和，微笑，顎嵌酒窩，目微揚，柳葉眉，高髮髻，屬典型山西大同雲崗石窟菩薩雕像特徵。此類造像身姿婀娜曼妙，表情端祥謙實，可謂當時中國審美之典範。

可比較相類菩薩例，詳見《中國古代石雕藝術》，國立歷史博物館，台北，1983年，編號2-6。另比一浮雕像，現仍藏雲崗石窟第六窟，載於《雲崗石窟》，北京，1977年，圖版20和26。第六窟為雲崗最為宏偉富麗之洞窟，涵括三十三處浮雕描繪釋迦牟尼自誕生至成道之佛傳故事。

另一極近頭像例，同作相類高浮雕，屬雲崗式，曾售於倫敦蘇富比2010年11月10日，編號18，為 Rheinish 舊藏。亦見一例，屬 James Alsdorf 伉儷收藏，刊於多部出版物，並展於《Chinese Sculpture and Works of Art》，Eskenazi，倫敦，2008年，編號2。據水野清一與長廣敏雄一書，認定其亦源自雲崗石窟，詳見《雲岡石窟：西暦五世紀における中国北部仏敎窟院の考古學的調查報告》，卷7，京都，1952年，圖版42、54。