隋 石灰石加彩菩薩頭像

the softly rounded face gracefully carved and framed by arched brows extending to a refined aquiline nose, eyes gently cast down above full cheeks and a delicately formed mouth, the gaze half closed in an expression of quiet contemplation, the elegantly coiffed hair in layers of looped sections with thick strands trailing around the well-formed ears over pierced elongated lobes and gathered high into a double chignon at the crown, the hairstyle decorated with a Dharma wheel painted with traces of gilt above a bed of crimson-painted curlicues, accompanied by futher carved florets to either side, the stone smooth with areas of darker patination, wood stand

山中商會，紐約，1943年

山中商會，《Collection of Chinese and Other Far Eastern Art Assembled by Yamanaka & Company, Inc. Now in Process of Liquidation Under the Supervision of the Alien Property Custodian of the United States of America》，紐約，1943年，編號372

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are losses to elements of the design, especially the Dharma wheel and flowers and back of her hair but the facial features themselves are in good condition. Extensive areas of original red, gold and blue pigmentation, even the actual depiction of a skin which is very rarely found in tact on early Chinese stone sculpture.
"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."

石雕菩薩頭像，雕工嫻熟細膩，展現菩薩莊嚴華貴，仁慈沉靜，屬隋石雕工藝之最。菩薩面容纖腴合度，鳳眼低垂，秀眉與鼻樑相連成一道柔弧，長髮後挽成高髻，綴以雲頭法輪寶冠，萃集隋代經典佛相於一體。

參考波士頓博物館藏兩尊隋代石灰石菩薩立像，其一刊於 Osvald Siren，《Chinese Sculpture》，卷2，紐約，1970年，圖版315 A，另一件載於《中國美術全集．雕塑編》，卷4：隋唐雕塑，北京，1988年，圖版12，據傳1909年出自西安某古寺，面部雕刻風格自然逼真，華美寶冠均與此尊相類。並比較另一尊菩薩立像，頭冠綴法輪，錄於松原三郎，《中國佛教雕刻史論》，東京，1995年，卷2，頁580。