153 - Stylized Votive Bodhisattva, Tang Chinese school, 7th–9th century

Stylized Votive Bodhisattva, Tang Chinese school, 7th–9th century Bronze with archaeological patina. Measures 11 cm in height. Votive figure with a schematic, perforated silhouette, conceived through extreme stylization that accentuates the verticality and spiritual character of the representation. The figure is crowned with a tall headdress or topknot, with one arm raised, possibly holding an attribute that has since eroded. The open structure creates organic voids around the body that evoke a mandorla or abstract halo. The surface exhibits mineral oxidation and an earthy patina associated with prolonged burial. The formal simplification and almost graphic quality of the figure are reminiscent of small Buddhist votive offerings intended for devotional contexts or reliquaries during the Tang Dynasty. The piece stands out for its expressive power, condensing spirituality and abstraction into a sculptural formulation of great visual rarity. 11 cm. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipment: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required.