Description
CHINA - NORTH WEI (386-534) / EAST WEI (534-550) period. 6th century. Limestone Buddha head, eyes half-open, smiling slightly, the three folds of wisdom on the neck, the headdress surmounted by the ushnisha (cranial protuberance). Bears a number 15830 on the back. Height : 40 cm Height : 40 cm Cubic wooden base. Provenance : - Former Charles Vignier collection according to a certificate from Marianne Densmore, 184 avenue de Vincennes, dated 14 January 1958 ; - Collection of Mr. Paul Martin, founder of the Galerie de France, then by descent. Reference :A large Buddha sculpture in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, Accession Number: 63.25. Although Buddhism arrived in China around the first century A.D., it became popular with a wider population from the fourth century. From the 5th and 6th centuries, a large number of Buddhist temples and monasteries were built. The capital of the Northern Wei was moved to Luoyang in 494, and the area around the city became the centre for the spread of Buddhist art. Aristocrats and wealthy merchants vied with each other in making large donations for the erection of Buddhist temples and institutions. The head we are presenting certainly belonged to a large stele which could have adorned a temple or a cave dedicated to Buddhist deities. Expert : Cabinet PORTIER - Mrs Alice JOSSAUME - [email protected] - 01 48 00 03 41
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CHINA - NORTH WEI (386-534) / EAST WEI (534-550) period. 6th century. Limestone Buddha head, eyes half-open, smiling slightly, the three folds of wisdom on the neck, the headdress surmounted by the ushnisha (cranial protuberance). Bears a number 15830 on the back. Height : 40 cm Height : 40 cm Cubic wooden base. Provenance : - Former Charles Vignier collection according to a certificate from Marianne Densmore, 184 avenue de Vincennes, dated 14 January 1958 ; - Collection of Mr. Paul Martin, founder of the Galerie de France, then by descent. Reference :A large Buddha sculpture in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, Accession Number: 63.25. Although Buddhism arrived in China around the first century A.D., it became popular with a wider population from the fourth century. From the 5th and 6th centuries, a large number of Buddhist temples and monasteries were built. The capital of the Northern Wei was moved to Luoyang in 494, and the area around the city became the centre for the spread of Buddhist art. Aristocrats and wealthy merchants vied with each other in making large donations for the erection of Buddhist temples and institutions. The head we are presenting certainly belonged to a large stele which could have adorned a temple or a cave dedicated to Buddhist deities. Expert : Cabinet PORTIER - Mrs Alice JOSSAUME - [email protected] - 01 48 00 03 41
