DYNASTYChina, 550-907. The round, full face with a serene expression, carved with half-closed, willow-leaf shaped eyes beneath a subtle brow extending from the bridge of the narrow nose. The crisp undulating lips forming a gentle smile above the fleshy chin, all flanked by long ears, the hair carved as distinct raised whorls.Provenance: An American private collection from the east coast. Old inventory number '1987.135' to the underside, indicating a prior museum deaccession.Condition: There are significant areas of weathering, which have developed into considerable erosion, covered with areas of old fillings and various residues. Structural cracks, losses and dents, commensurate with age.Weight: 13.4 kg (excl. stand) Dimensions: Height 25 cm (excl. base)Mounted on a fine modern lacquered wood stand. (2)Expert's note: The subtle fleshiness of the cheeks, thin nose ridge, and elegant curve of the eyebrows and eyelids are characteristic of sculpture produced in Shandong province, in northeast China, during the second half of the sixth century. Given the fact that this style has been continued over centuries, a dating up to the end of the Tang dynasty seems reasonable.Literature comparison: Compare with a related limestone head in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2001.422.Auction result comparison: Compare with a related limestone head of slightly smaller size at Bonhams New York, Fine Chinese Paintings and Works of Art, 21 July 2020, lot 113, sold for USD 13,825.北齊至唐代石佛頭中國,550-907年。圓臉,表情寧靜,半閉的柳葉形眼睛,狹窄的鼻樑,柳葉形眉。笑容慈祥,側面長耳垂,螺髻。 來源:美國東海岸私人收藏。底部收藏老標簽 '1987.135',意旨該佛頭之前為博物館收藏。 品相:很大的風化區域,已發展成嚴重的侵蝕,覆蓋著舊填料和各種殘留物。結構裂縫,缺損和凹痕,與年齡相稱。 重量:不含底座13.4公斤 尺寸:不含底座高25 厘米 現代木底座。 專家注釋:臉頰豐滿,細鼻樑,眉毛和眼瞼的曲線優美,是六世紀下半葉在中國山東省造像的特徵。儘管這個風格持續了多個世紀,斷代唐朝末期仍屬合理。 拍賣結果比較:一件相近石灰石但尺寸略小的佛頭像,見紐約邦翰思Fine Chinese Paintings and Works of Art拍場,2020年7月21日lot 113, 售價USD 13,825.