唐八 / 九世紀 石雕三聖造像碑

of pointed arched form, the central section slightly concave, carved with a buddha seated in dhyanasana on a waisted plinth with right hand in varadamudra, flanked by two bodhisattva standing on lotus blossoms, adorned with long scarves, each figure with a pointed halo encircling the head, the back carved in shallow relief with a standing buddha flanked by two bodhisattva, and an illegible inscription, stand (2)

Yamanaka & Co., New York.
Christie's Hong Kong, 29th October 2001, lot 506.

On the front side, the pigments and gesso layer are worn in places exposing the stone beneath. One bodhisattva has a loss to a section of the offering box being held and wear to the lotus base and foot. The other has wear to one hand and the attribute being held, repair to the pendant and a large chip the bottom of the lotus base. The reverse side has two large chips to the top edge of the stele and an approximately 10 in (25.5 cm) horizontal crack running across the top section. One of the short sides of the stele has a number of veins running though it. The three figures and the inscription are worn. There are scattered losses to the gesso exposing the stone beneath. One bodhisattva's head has a chip. Overall the edges of the stele and the relief carving have small scattered chips and general signs of wear consistent with age and sculptures of this kind.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Images of a Buddha flanked by two bodhisattva are popular in the Pure Land school and usually depict Amitabha flanked by Mahastamaprata and Avalokiteshvara.  Known as the 'Three Sages of the West', they preside over Sukhavati, Amitabha's western paradise.

Other similar examples of Tang dynasty stone stelae are illustrated in Saburo Matsubara, Chinese Buddhist Sculpture, Tokyo, 1966, nos. 241 (a), 242 (a) 250 (a) and 282(a). Two Tang dynasty images of bodhisattva with similar full faces and sensual curves are illustrated in Osvald Siren, Chinese Sculpture From the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century, vol. 4, New York, 1925, pl. 544; and two carvings of similar Buddhist triads are illustrated, ibid., pl. 538.