北魏 彩繪石灰石雕佛頭像

the slender face with slit-carved eyes beneath arched eyebrows, the subtly rounded cheeks accented by a straight nose, a small mouth and well defined chin, the serene expression flanked by a pair of long pendulous earlobes, the facial features with traces of old red pigment, all beneath a neatly tied tall topknot carrying traces of black pigment, metal stand

1934-40年駐北京法國領事館官員 Robert Faure（1904-71）收藏

There is a filled in crack of approx. 2 cm to the left earlobe, in addition to areas of consolidation to the back of the head. There are extensive loss of the pigmentation, resulting in an uneven surface texture. The actual sculpture is of a brighter tone than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

The carving of this head is characteristic of the style of Yungang caves near Datong in Shanxi province, which were largely constructed between 398 AD and 494 AD, when Pingcheng, modern Datong, was capital of the Northern Wei period.  Several Buddha figures with similar features can be seen in the niches of Cave 5 and in a frieze above the main figures of Cave 7 at Yungang, and are illustrated in Zhongguo shiku: Yungang shiku, Beijing, 1998, pls. 41 and 45, 144 and 145.  The delicate incised lines defining the eyes can also be seen, for example, on figures of Cave 6 and 8, ibid., pls. 125, 177 and 178. 

Compare a sandstone head of a Buddha from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with similar features but a slightly different treatment of the eyes, illustrated in Handbook of the Collection, 1993, p. 303; and a complete standing figure with a similar head, in the Museé Guimet, Paris, is published in Chinese Art in Overseas Collections: Buddhist Sculpture, vol. II, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 9.  

It is important to note that the sculptural cycles at the Yungang complex were richly painted, as evident in early photographs such as those taken by Osvald Siren in 1925, for the important series, Chinese Sculpture from the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century, London, 1925, pls. 17-74. It is extremely rare for removed fragments such as the present head to retain such ample traces of their original pigment scheme, compare in particular the coloration visible on Buddhas in niches, pls. 40, 60 and 67B. 

In its naturalistic treatment of the Buddha's expression, prominent ushnisha and long, pendulous ears, the current head is closely related to a larger example from the J.T. Tai & Co., sold in our New York rooms, 22nd March 2011, lot 264.