北齊 石灰石浮雕響堂山式蹲獅殘石

carved in high relief in profile, the beast seated on its haunches, its back defined by a gentle curve, the straight thick forelegs supporting strong-muscled shoulders, the head turned sharply to its right, detailed with square jaws above a wispy beard, open mouth and cleft lips baring a set of sharp fangs, below an upturned snout and bulging eyes framed by furrowed brows, all surmounted by two pricked ears, the greyish stone with traces of a white layer, red and ochre pigments, wood stand

購於五十至六十年代

The lower section of the left foreleg is missing and there is some surface wear. The base is truncated as visible on the photo. 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."

在亞洲，北齊獅雕被視作極具莊重之陵墓守衛。見 Ann Paludan，《The Chinese Spirit Road》，紐黑文，1991年，頁65。作者認為其完美平衡，表現強烈動感。此類石獅，精神飽滿，力感充沛，為其時代獨有。其風範於本品展露無遺。

可參考一香爐兩側雙獅，載於《響堂山石窟》，前述出處，圖版95；同錄雕獅一對，現仍存北響堂山第三窟北牆，圖版34。另見一例，源自南響堂山第一窟南牆，圖版64。亦比一例，碑底正面雕獅，銘刻紀年公元562年，錄於《Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture in the Avery Brundage Collection》，東京，1974年，頁134，圖版57。

響堂山石窟，位於河北省邯鄲峰峰礦區，展現北齊宗教雕像之超群水準。此龐大石窟群，建於公元六世紀，北齊時期，由三部分組成：南、北及水浴寺響堂山石窟，總括逾四千石雕，其中部分錄於《響堂山石窟》，北京，2003年。本書匯集迄今已知響堂山石雕之歷史舊照及資料。