? A FINE POLYCHROME MARBLE FIGURE OF A STANDING BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, NORTHERN QI DYNASTY China, 550-577. Crisply carved, standing on a double-lotus base, with the right hand raised in abhaya mudra and the left lowered in a corresponding gesture. The figure clad in a long, flowing monastic robe draped over both shoulders, rendered in simple, descending rows of graceful folds above the cascading hem. The rounded face conveying a serene expression, with heavy-lidded eyes beneath gently arched brows, a slender nose, and full lips forming a calm smile, all framed by long, pendulous earlobes. The hair arranged in tight curls atop the domed ushnisha.
Provenance: A private collection in New York, Unites States, before 2014. Another private collection in New York, United States, acquired from the above, and thence by descent.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age, with ancient wear, obvious losses, natural age-related imperfections, and expected traces of weathering. Few minor nicks, light surface scratches, and occasional small chips to edges. The marble surface with a fine ivory tone naturally developed over centuries, partially covered with old pigments and soil encrustations, indicating a prolonged period of burial. A circular felt pad affixed to the underside.
Weight: 4,323 g
Dimensions: Height 41.1 cm
The short-lived Northern Qi dynasty (550-570) followed the Northern Wei (386-535) and preceded the Tang (618-907), widely regarded as high points in the history of Chinese Buddhist art. Although brief, the period witnessed fundamental transformations in Buddhist imagery. Newly developed sculptural forms, exemplified by this work, established the foundation for later artistic achievements. Northern Qi sculpture reflected an indirect adaptation of the Indian Gupta style, particularly the Sarnath school, introduced to China via Central Asian trade routes. The adoption of this foreign visual language corresponded to socio-political shifts at the beginning of the Northern Qi period, when rulers intentionally drew upon non-Han artistic traditions, in contrast to Northern Wei rulers, who sought to integrate themselves within Han culture through a process of Sinicization.
This figure of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, is marked by a solemn expression, smooth surfaces, and an exceptionally thin outer robe falling in shallow folds. Beneath it, the hem of an undergarment descends in a series of stylized pleats above the feet, a characteristic feature of Northern Qi sculpture. After carving, the marble surface would have been painted with bright pigments, including red, green, blue, and gold. The completed sculpture was then consecrated, enabling it to embody the presence of Buddha and to confer spiritual benefits upon worshippers.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related limestone figure of standing Buddha Shakyamuni, Northern Qi dynasty, late 6th century, 114.3 cm high, in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession number 2000.207.
Compare a related marble figure of standing Buddha Shakyamuni, Northern Qi dynasty, 550-577, 103.2 cm high, in the Sackler Collections at the Columbia University, New York, accession number S3516.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 19 December 2016, lot 8198
Price: USD 47,500 or approx. EUR 55,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare carved stone figure of the Buddha, Northern Qi Period, 550-577
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling style, and manner of carving. Note the larger size (63.5 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Zacke Vienna, 11 October 2023, lot 167
Price: EUR 16,900
Description: A white marble figure of Buddha, Northern Qi dynasty, 550-577
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling style, and manner of carving. Note the larger size (62.4 cm).
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Gallery Zacke takes care of shipping and quotes postage upon request. The purchased goods are transported at the risk of the customer following handover of the packaged item to the post office or another carrier which the customer agrees to through his/her submission of the purchase order. According to specific wish of the customer, the auctioned goods may be insured for the value of the purchase price (highest bid and surcharge). This insurance fee is 3% of the purchase price.
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