Lot 630. A marble 'mythical beast' weight, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period-Han dynasty; 6.7 cm. Estimate 10,000 - 20,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

carved in the form of a dome, depicting a canine mythical beast holding onto and biting its own tail, the lower edge of the weight further detailed with undulating motifs, the base left flat, Japanese wood box.

Lot 631. A sandstone head of a bodhisattva, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535); 13.7 cm; overall h. 20.7 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

carved with the head gently turned slightly to one side, the face rendered with a serene expression with a downcast gaze above small bud lips, framed by elongated ears and a tall topknot, the granulated stone of a grey colour, Japanese wood box and wood stand.

Provenance: Collection of Sato Gengen (1888-1963).
Collection of Seiichi Mizuno (1905-71).

Lot 633. A small sandstone head of a figure, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535); 8.7 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

portrayed with a serene, meditative expression, the head affixed to a wood display stand, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Collection of Sato Gengen (1888-1963).
Collection of Seiichi Mizuno (1905-71).

Lot 616. A marble 'double bodhisattva' stele, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577); 21.8 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

carved with twin Avalokiteshvara standing side by side in similar poses with the right hand raised, possibly once holding a flower bud, each figure rendered dressed in loose, long robes exposing their bare feet, all against a tall mandorla and supported on a rectangular base, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Collection of Sato Gengen (1888-1963).

Lot 608. A huanghuashi limestone 'Buddhist triad' stele, Sui-early Tang dynasty (589-907); 9.2 by 5.2 by h. 13.2 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

of rectangular form and carved in each of the main sides with a triad group, one side with a niche, enclosing a central seated figure of Buddha flanked by two crowned bodhisattvas, all above a pair of lions, the reverse similarly carved with a central figure of Buddha flanked by two bodhisattvas, the two shorter sides with niches enclosing smaller Buddhist figures, the stone of a mottled yellow colour with russet and tan inclusions, Japanese wood box with inscription by Seiichi Mizuno, dated 8th February 1971, wood stand.

Provenance: Collection of Sato Gengen (1888-1963).
Collection of Seiichi Mizuno (1905-71).

Lot 609. A polished stone openwork incense burner, Sui-early Tang dynasty (589-907); d. 13.3 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

of domed shape, the thick sides rising from a gently flared lower edge to a rounded shoulder and a circular aperture at the top, the shoulder with three sets of three vertical slots, the stone attractively polished to a mottled dark brown colour, Japanese wood box.

Lot 611. A small marble figure of a predatory animal, Tang dynasty (618-907); 7.4 by 8.8 by h. 9.5 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

seated on its taut haunches on a rectangular plinth, the ferocious beast portrayed preying upon a small animal and baring its teeth, Japanese wood box.

Lot 612. An inscribed stone plaque, Tang dynasty, dated 12th year of Kaiyuan period, corresponding to 724; 16.5 by 4.3 by h. 16.3 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

densely carved with a dedicatory inscription which can be translated as 'military governor Li Tang of Yuezhou commissioning [Shakya]muni Buddha shrine for the Yong'an temple of Mount Ji. The engraving is complete and the colours shine. May those who see it be blessed with no disasters and share the blessings for longevity', the sides of the plaque with an inscription dated to the 12th year of the Kaiyuan period (corresponding to 724), wood stand and Japanese wood box.

See a plaque with the same inscription included in Cen Zhongmian, 'Continuing the Historical Evidence of Stones', Bulletin of the Institute of History and Philology Academia Sinica, 1948, pp. 242-245, with the rubbing illustrated after p. 280.

Lot 615. A marble seated figure of a lion, Tang dynasty (618-907); 17.5 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

depicted seated on its taut haunches with its head facing forward on a rectangular plinth, the beast portrayed with its mouth open, further rendered with bulging eyes below furrowed bushy brows, Japanese wood box.

Lot 635. A stone head of a bodhisattva, Tang dynasty (618-907); 11 cm. Estimate 20,000 - 40,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2024

the head affixed to a wooden display stand, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Collection of Seiichi Mizuno (1905-71).

Sotheby's. Chinese Art through the Eye of Sakamoto Gorō: A Selection I, Hong Kong, 29 October 2024