Page 50 - Chinese works of art and paintings, March 19 Bonhams

(two views)

8050 W
A RARE AND UNUSUAL LIMESTONE ‘INFINITE BUDDHAS’
PILLAR
Northern Wei/Qi dynasty The thousand Buddha--or infinite Buddha--motif, where repeated
Of cylindrical form, the rounded sides carved in low-relief with registers of small Buddha figures seated in meditation are depicted,
nineteen rows of twenty Buddhas, the Buddhas seated dhyanasana is frequently seen in both painting and sculpture in China from the
on narrow ledges that encircles the pillar, their hands hidden by 5th century onward. The imagery alludes to a passage in the Lotus
pleated coverings, their elongated heads crowned by domed Sutra where emanations of the Buddha from an infinity of Buddha
ushnishas, the top of the pillar carved with a square socket, worlds gather to listen to the historical Buddha Sakyamuni expound
metal stand. sacred teachings. This pillar is carved in the round indicating it was
42in (106.7cm) high made to be viewed from all angles. It is likely that the pillar was
created for circumambulation in its original location, a devotional,
$25,000 - 40,000 merit-accruing act.

北齊/魏 石灰石雕多寶千佛幢 A similar pillar dating to the Northern Qi dynasty is in the collection
of the Xuchang Museum in Henan province.

Provenance
Acquired in New York, 1990s

48 | BONHAMS