Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
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Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Click to Enlarge
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Click to Enlarge
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Click to Enlarge
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Click to Enlarge
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Click to Enlarge
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
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Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty

  • Carved in China's Northern Qi dynasty, this Buddha head was made over fifteen centuries ago
  • It displays the considerable artistic innovation the period is known for
  • Works from this period are extremely hard to find and eagerly collected
  • Get complete item description here
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Item No. 31-5655
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Description
This limestone bust of the Buddha presents a picture of serenity and grace. A rare and striking image, it was sculpted in 6th-century Northern China during the Qi dynasty, one of the most innovative and distinctive periods for the art of stone carving in China. Thoughtfully rendered, this Buddha is adorned with round curls lying flat, creating a graceful pattern from which his long ears, a sign of wisdom, stand out. His features are smooth. . .
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This limestone bust of the Buddha presents a picture of serenity and grace. A rare and striking image, it was sculpted in 6th-century Northern China during the Qi dynasty, one of the most innovative and distinctive periods for the art of stone carving in China. Thoughtfully rendered, this Buddha is adorned with round curls lying flat, creating a graceful pattern from which his long ears, a sign of wisdom, stand out. His features are smooth and unadorned, conveying the simplicity and detachment of his teachings, while the subtle fleshiness of the cheek and chin and curvature of the eyebrows are typical of Northern Qi art.

The Qi dynasty (550-577) was a fascinating time in Chinese history. The era sizzled with exciting changes that resulted in elevating China’s art and overall culture. Works from this period are extremely hard to find and are ardently admired, as historians agree that the period stands out as a time of innovation and mastery, a magnificent artistic Golden Age for the region. A similar Buddha head from the same period is in the prestigious Guimet Museum in Paris, one of the largest collections of Asian art outside Asia. Another is in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

6th century

7 1/4" diameter x 13 1/2" high
With stand: 19 1/2" high

Provenance:
Alan Hartman New York (before 1980)
Buddhist Art, Berlin, Germany, 2009
Private collection, New York, 2011
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, 2022
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Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Period: Pre-18th Century
Origin: China
Type: Sculpture
Depth: 7.25 in. (18.42 cm)
Width: 7.25 in. (18.42 cm)
Height: 19.5 in. (49.53 cm)
Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty
Art and Religion: A Centuries-Old Relationship

Religious art has dominated much of the history of art. From the Middle Ages through the end of the 17th century, a great majority of artistic output in the Western world had Christian...

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Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

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