北齊天保二年 大理石雕菩薩弟子刻銘立像 《彌寇將軍畦安玉敬造》《天保二年三月廿七日》款

the figure standing with a sway-back posture on a lotus base, dressed in long robes cascading in crisp folds flaring out from the shoulders, with two long scarves intersecting through a bi disc around on the middle and looping over the thighs, the left pendent hand grasping a yue axe and the right clutching a lotus bud, the face with delicate features depicted in a benevolent expression, framed by a tall foliate crown with flanking scarves trailing down the shoulders, set between two young tonsured attendants - Ananda and Kasyapa - wearing flowing robes their hands conjoined in prayer, all against a broad oval mandorla supported on a large rectangular block plinth, the white marble patinated to a soft buff colour, the reverse of the plinth inscribed with a dedication by General Qi Anyu dated to the 27th day of the third month in the second year of the Tianbao period (corresponding to AD 551, Northern Qi dynasty), wood stand

購於五十至六十年代

The triad stele was probably positioned originally in an architectural niche. The top of the mandorla is chipped with an approx. 8 by 4 cm section that has detached and been re-affixed with an old glue (showing on the catalogue illustration). There is some wear and weathering to the surface in keeping with age. Otherwise there is no apparent recent damages or restoration.
"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."

刻文
彌寇將軍畦安玉敬造白玉像一區，上為皇帝陛下，七世父母，夫妻眷屬，所願從心，天保二年三月廿七日，故銘記之。

此菩薩弟子立像，造型雕工簡潔而圓熟精妙，紀年天保二年（551），為北齊初年之作，反映出當時佛教雕刻藝術之重大風格轉變。Angela Falco Howard，〈From Han to the Southern Song〉，錄於 Angela Falco Howard 等，《Chinese Sculpture》，紐黑文及倫敦，2006年，頁274，提及，北齊工匠捨魏時輕盈造型及繁密線刻風格，改作薄衣覆體，身形健美，細節入微。如此例，正面觀之雖不明顯，由側觀之，造像身腹微鼓，宛若躍躍欲動之姿。

大理石華美質貴，尤在產地河北正定及定州，乃北齊時期雕造獨立佛教造像之主要材料。近類作例，參考一件年代略晚三尊造像龕，雕觀世音菩薩及二弟子，紀年太寧二年（562），刊錄於松原三郎，《中国仏敎彫刻史研究》，東京，1966年，圖版174c。