Premium-Seiten ohne Registrierung:

Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 294

An extremely rare pair of polychrome limestone figures of bodhisattvas, Tang dynasty | 唐 石灰石雕加彩菩薩立像一對

Schätzpreis
500.000 $ - 700.000 $
Zuschlagspreis:
n. a.
Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 294

An extremely rare pair of polychrome limestone figures of bodhisattvas, Tang dynasty | 唐 石灰石雕加彩菩薩立像一對

Schätzpreis
500.000 $ - 700.000 $
Zuschlagspreis:
n. a.
Beschreibung:

An extremely rare pair of polychrome limestone figures of bodhisattvasTang dynasty唐 石灰石雕加彩菩薩立像一對 (2) Height 24⅞ in., 63.2 cm; 24½ in., 62 cmCondition reportFor more information on and additional videos for this lot, please contact asiaweek@sothebys.com.ProvenanceAcquired in Hong Kong, 2001. J. J. Lally & Co., New York, 2017. 得於香港,2001年藍理捷,紐約,2017年ExhibitedBuddhist Sculpture from Ancient China, J. J. Lally & Co., New York, 2017, cat. no. 15. 《Buddhist Sculpture from Ancient China》,藍理捷,紐約,2017年,編號15Catalogue noteThese two rare and exceptionally impressive sculptures embody many of the finest qualities of Tang dynasty (618-907) art. The figures are sensitively carved with slender, graceful features. They are remarkably sophisticated in their sculptural quality, their serene and compassionate faces with subtle smiles, voluminous coiffure neatly tied up in a spiral bun, bodies displayed in an elegant swaying pose, exposed torsos adorned with jewelry and scarves, and gracefully draped, thin flowing skirts. This magnificent pair of bodhisattva figures depicts heavenly beings imbued with a sense of human qualities. From the early years of the Tang dynasty, Buddhism was supported by the Imperial court, which actively sponsored major building projects and encouraged monks to travel abroad and bring back sacred scriptures. During the reigns of Emperor Gaozong (r. 650-83) and Empress Wu Zetian (r. 684-704), many construction projects of temples in the capital and cave temples with Buddhist sculptures, most notably at the Longmen Caves outside Luoyang in Henan province, were commissioned. The monumental cave temples, created by the greatest sculptors of the day, provided an artistic language that dominated sculptural art in China and also inspired the production of free-standing figures and stelae. Buddhist images from the earlier dynasties were usually rather formal. They often appeared imposing but distant, as sculptors originally had concentrated on rendering the solemn spiritual message. However, in the early Tang a naturalistic approach in Buddhist sculpture began to develop, whereby deities appeared to be much more benevolent and approachable. This started the full transformation towards a delightfully beautiful, sensuous naturalism in Buddhist imagery, where the religious message was delivered through a very accessible form of human beauty. Previously often depicted as either male or else genderless, bodhisattvas were now rendered with a distinctive feminine beauty. Following the move towards a more gracious, human form of representation, the present pair is marked by their slender bodies, fleshy features and elegant pose, displaying a sophistication and attention to natural forms characteristic of the 8th century. Some Longmen bodhisattvas are equally rendered as graceful beings, standing in relaxed poses, with a slight sway to the body and performing naturalistic gestures, in a style similar to that seen on the present figures; see, for example, a related pair of bodhisattvas in the Jinan Cave at Longmen, illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji: Diaosu bian / Complete series on Chinese art: Sculpture section, vol. 11, Shanghai, 1988, pls 173 and 174, or from the Leigutai Caves, also known as Dawanwufo Caves, ibid., pl. 183. Compare also two individual figures of bodhisattvas from the Longmen Caves, included in the exhibition Ancient Chinese Sculptural Treasures: Carvings in Stone, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Kaohsiung, 1998, cat. nos 59 and 60. In the first years of the 8th century, Empress Wu commissioned the addition of Qibaotai, the Tower of Seven Jewels, to the temple Guangzhaisi in Chang’an, the capital of the Tang. The temple no longer exists, but some thirty stone stelae carved in high relief are preserved from the interior of the Qibaotai, which are executed in a style related to the present sculptures. They are illustrated and discussed in Yan Juanying, Jinghua shuiyue. Zhongguo gudai meishu kaogu yu fojiao yishu de tant

Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 294
Auktion:
Datum:
23.03.2022
Auktionshaus:
Sotheby's
New York
Beschreibung:

An extremely rare pair of polychrome limestone figures of bodhisattvasTang dynasty唐 石灰石雕加彩菩薩立像一對 (2) Height 24⅞ in., 63.2 cm; 24½ in., 62 cmCondition reportFor more information on and additional videos for this lot, please contact asiaweek@sothebys.com.ProvenanceAcquired in Hong Kong, 2001. J. J. Lally & Co., New York, 2017. 得於香港,2001年藍理捷,紐約,2017年ExhibitedBuddhist Sculpture from Ancient China, J. J. Lally & Co., New York, 2017, cat. no. 15. 《Buddhist Sculpture from Ancient China》,藍理捷,紐約,2017年,編號15Catalogue noteThese two rare and exceptionally impressive sculptures embody many of the finest qualities of Tang dynasty (618-907) art. The figures are sensitively carved with slender, graceful features. They are remarkably sophisticated in their sculptural quality, their serene and compassionate faces with subtle smiles, voluminous coiffure neatly tied up in a spiral bun, bodies displayed in an elegant swaying pose, exposed torsos adorned with jewelry and scarves, and gracefully draped, thin flowing skirts. This magnificent pair of bodhisattva figures depicts heavenly beings imbued with a sense of human qualities. From the early years of the Tang dynasty, Buddhism was supported by the Imperial court, which actively sponsored major building projects and encouraged monks to travel abroad and bring back sacred scriptures. During the reigns of Emperor Gaozong (r. 650-83) and Empress Wu Zetian (r. 684-704), many construction projects of temples in the capital and cave temples with Buddhist sculptures, most notably at the Longmen Caves outside Luoyang in Henan province, were commissioned. The monumental cave temples, created by the greatest sculptors of the day, provided an artistic language that dominated sculptural art in China and also inspired the production of free-standing figures and stelae. Buddhist images from the earlier dynasties were usually rather formal. They often appeared imposing but distant, as sculptors originally had concentrated on rendering the solemn spiritual message. However, in the early Tang a naturalistic approach in Buddhist sculpture began to develop, whereby deities appeared to be much more benevolent and approachable. This started the full transformation towards a delightfully beautiful, sensuous naturalism in Buddhist imagery, where the religious message was delivered through a very accessible form of human beauty. Previously often depicted as either male or else genderless, bodhisattvas were now rendered with a distinctive feminine beauty. Following the move towards a more gracious, human form of representation, the present pair is marked by their slender bodies, fleshy features and elegant pose, displaying a sophistication and attention to natural forms characteristic of the 8th century. Some Longmen bodhisattvas are equally rendered as graceful beings, standing in relaxed poses, with a slight sway to the body and performing naturalistic gestures, in a style similar to that seen on the present figures; see, for example, a related pair of bodhisattvas in the Jinan Cave at Longmen, illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji: Diaosu bian / Complete series on Chinese art: Sculpture section, vol. 11, Shanghai, 1988, pls 173 and 174, or from the Leigutai Caves, also known as Dawanwufo Caves, ibid., pl. 183. Compare also two individual figures of bodhisattvas from the Longmen Caves, included in the exhibition Ancient Chinese Sculptural Treasures: Carvings in Stone, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Kaohsiung, 1998, cat. nos 59 and 60. In the first years of the 8th century, Empress Wu commissioned the addition of Qibaotai, the Tower of Seven Jewels, to the temple Guangzhaisi in Chang’an, the capital of the Tang. The temple no longer exists, but some thirty stone stelae carved in high relief are preserved from the interior of the Qibaotai, which are executed in a style related to the present sculptures. They are illustrated and discussed in Yan Juanying, Jinghua shuiyue. Zhongguo gudai meishu kaogu yu fojiao yishu de tant

Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 294
Auktion:
Datum:
23.03.2022
Auktionshaus:
Sotheby's
New York
LotSearch ausprobieren

Testen Sie LotSearch und seine Premium-Features 7 Tage - ohne Kosten!

  • Auktionssuche und Bieten
  • Preisdatenbank und Analysen
  • Individuelle automatische Suchaufträge
Jetzt einen Suchauftrag anlegen!

Lassen Sie sich automatisch über neue Objekte in kommenden Auktionen benachrichtigen.

Suchauftrag anlegen