Page 82 - March 23, 2022 Sotheby's NYC Fine Chinese Works of Art

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PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF LUIS VIRATA 唐 石灰石雕加彩菩薩立像一對
AN EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF POLYCHROME
LIMESTONE FIGURES OF BODHISATTVAS 來源
TANG DYNASTY 得於香港，2001年
(2) 藍理捷，紐約，2017年
Height 24⅞ in., 63.2 cm; 24½ in., 62 cm 展覽
《Buddhist Sculpture from Ancient China》，藍理捷，
PROVENANCE 紐約，2017年，編號15
Acquired in Hong Kong, 2001.
J. J. Lally & Co., New York, 2017.

EXHIBITED
Buddhist Sculpture from Ancient China, J. J. Lally & Co., New
York, 2017, cat. no. 15.
⊖ $ 500,000-700,000

These two rare and exceptionally impressive sculptures by the greatest sculptors of the day, provided an artistic
embody many of the finest qualities of Tang dynasty (618- language that dominated sculptural art in China and also
907) art. The figures are sensitively carved with slender, inspired the production of free-standing figures and stelae.
graceful features. They are remarkably sophisticated in Buddhist images from the earlier dynasties were usually
their sculptural quality, their serene and compassionate rather formal. They often appeared imposing but distant,
faces with subtle smiles, voluminous coiffure neatly tied as sculptors originally had concentrated on rendering the
up in a spiral bun, bodies displayed in an elegant swaying solemn spiritual message. However, in the early Tang a
pose, exposed torsos adorned with jewelry and scarves, and naturalistic approach in Buddhist sculpture began to develop,
gracefully draped, thin flowing skirts. This magnificent pair of whereby deities appeared to be much more benevolent and
bodhisattva figures depicts heavenly beings imbued with a approachable. This started the full transformation towards
sense of human qualities. a delightfully beautiful, sensuous naturalism in Buddhist
From the early years of the Tang dynasty, Buddhism was imagery, where the religious message was delivered through
supported by the Imperial court, which actively sponsored a very accessible form of human beauty. Previously often
major building projects and encouraged monks to travel depicted as either male or else genderless, bodhisattvas
abroad and bring back sacred scriptures. During the reigns of were now rendered with a distinctive feminine beauty.
Emperor Gaozong (r. 650-83) and Empress Wu Zetian (r. 684- Following the move towards a more gracious, human form of
704), many construction projects of temples in the capital representation, the present pair is marked by their slender
and cave temples with Buddhist sculptures, most notably bodies, fleshy features and elegant pose, displaying a
at the Longmen Caves outside Luoyang in Henan province, sophistication and attention to natural forms characteristic
were commissioned. The monumental cave temples, created of the 8th century.

160 SOTHEBY’S COMPLETE CATALOGUING AVAILABLE AT SOTHEBYS.COM/N10917 161