唐 石灰石雕龍門式彩繪菩薩供養人刻銘殘石

of rectangular section, the greyish stone with remains of red and pale green pigments, carved in high relief with a bodhisattva in the corner and three kneeling donors in low relief, the divinity standing elegantly on a lotus pedestal within a recessed alcove, his hips slightly thrust to the left in a gentle sway, dressed in long flowing robes draped from the shoulder and intersecting in knots at the waist before looping over the thighs, his right arm pendent grasping a yue axe, the left hand raised against his chest holding a lotus bud, his face detailed with bow-shaped eyes and bud lips set in a serene expression, framed by pendulous earlobes with earrings and a pointed halo, the first female donor with hair tied up in an elaborate chignon holding a long-handled censer, the two others wearing headdresses and each holding a lotus flower, all three kneeling and dressed in flowing red and pale green robes, all below a rectangular cartouche incised with a dedicatory inscription by five female upāsikā (Buddhist attendants) Wang Xiang, Zhao Jian, Chen Xiaohu, Wang Wenling and Wang Abu, wood stand

購於五十至六十年代

This is a wall fragment in its expected fragmentary condition with truncated rear and sides as visible on the photo. There is some overall wear and pitting to the surface in keeping with age. There is otherwise no apparent recent damages or restorations. The wood stand is in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

刻文
清信女王嚮（事女）趙儉供養，清信女陳小胡供養時，清信女王文詅妹阿補供養時。

此類雕石多屬石窟局部裝飾，用以載錄佛像供養人之虔誠修業事跡。據本品圖案所見一女手持蓮花，可辨其為優婆夷。優婆夷為佛教信女，與信男優婆塞相似，同須受三歸，持五戒，方可成居士。本品所見三信女之服飾、髮型及頭飾，反映當時之流行風尚，亦精準展示其風格與正統神明衣著樣式之間所存差異。

見一浮雕殘石，式樣極似本品，現存美國明尼阿波利斯藝術學院，載於 Giuseppe Eskenazi 及 Hajni Elias，《A Dealer’s Hand. The Chinese Art World through the Eyes of Giuseppe Eskenazi》，倫敦，2012年，圖版124；同錄兩唐代例，雕飾男女樂人，圖版117-8。龍門石窟南牆另有一浮雕例，刻繪供養人一組，錄於《龍門石窟》，北京，1980年，圖版136。亦見一供養人浮雕像，現仍存龍門石窟老龍洞，載於《中國美術全集》，卷11，上海，1988年，圖版131。