Showrooms

Antique Stone Buddha Head Chinese Qi Dynasty on Custom Stand

Offered by: Tishu

Description
Carved out of a single block of grayish brown stone (likely granite type), this Buddha head represents Northern Qi style in China (550-577AD) and likely of the period. The Northern Qi style is a unique period for Chinese Buddhism iconography when the northern part of the country was influenced by that from the Central Asia region such as Gandhara style. This cross-pollination was facilitated through the travels along the network of the silk roads where not only commerce but also religion, art, and ideas were widely exchanged. The Northern Qi dynasty was descended from Eastern Wei Dynasty, founded by XianBei, a nomadic people from Eurasian Steppes The Buddhism imagery is characterized by a distinctive oval shape of the head and face with a slightly extruded but otherwise smooth ushnisha (hair knot on top of the Buddha's head), a soft and serene facial expression with subtle fleshy cheeks, and elegantly arched eyebrows and narrow and elongated eyelids.
This stone shows some mineral striations in slightly darker tone embedded in the texture, adding a naturally weathered appeal to the piece. It is a fragment from the once larger statue (likely whole body). It is heavy and now displayed on a custom steel and wood stand (fixed).
Head only is approximately 7 inches in height.

More Information

Origin:	China
Period:	Pre 18th Century
Materials:	stone, steel and wood
Condition:	Good. Stone head fragment as shown, expecting surface wear and patina and scattered minute scrapes and chips, a minor loss on the tip of one earlobe as shown. Stand is custom newly made.
Creation Date:	pre 18th century
Styles / Movements:	Asian, Traditional
Patterns:	Asian/Oriental
Incollect Reference #:	797751

Dimensions

W.	6 in;	H.	12.5 in;	D.	6 in;
W.	15.24 cm;	H.	31.75 cm;	D.	15.24 cm;

Message from Seller:

Tishu, based in Atlanta, GA, offers a diverse collection ranging from Neolithic art to 20th-century collectibles, with a focus on Mid-century design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian textiles, and Contemporary Aboriginal art. Driven by a passion for timeless beauty, the gallery is open by appointment only and offers works that span 5,000 years of history. Reach them at 305-400-0561 or tishu@tishugallery.com.