Page 116 - important chinese art mar 22 2018

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A RARE SOAPSTONE FIGURE OF Soapstone carvings of the Liao dynasty (907- period are better known in gilt-bronze, which
BUDDHA 1125) are extremely rare, perhaps due to the bear similarities with the present piece; compare
softness of the stone. This " gure retains the a smaller Buddha seated on a similarly raised
LIAO DYNASTY
de" ning characteristics of Liao Buddhist " gures, lotus pedestal with hands in dhyana mudra, from
seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base backed by evident in the plump oval face, fullness of the the Mary and George Bloch Collection, sold in
a mandorla carved with a scrolling pattern, the form draped in simple robes, and lotus ! ower our Hong Kong rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot
right hand in dhyana mudra and the left hand base on a stepped pedestal. 102; and another, with right hand raised in vitarka
(now lost) held in front of the chest, the lean Liao emperors were devout followers of mudra and left hand holding a scroll, sold at
body draped in robes with the folds delineated in Buddhism and the religion ! ourished under their Christie’s New York, 17th September 2008,
rhythmic carved lines and the scrolling brocade reigns, expediting its propagation in the northern lot 392.
hem carefully incised, the broad face framed part of their empire. Buddhist " gures of this
by pendulous ears and an ushnisha covered $ 70,000-90,000
in conical curls, the lotus base supported on ፱ ྪʆͩᎉНѬ྅
a further base of waisted, stepped form, the
translucent stone a warm beige color
Height 8¾ in., 22.2 cm

114 SOTHEBY’S