Lot 8037. A Fine Painted Marble Torso of Buddha, Late Northern Qi-Sui Dynasty; 18in (45.7cm) high. Estimate US$ 40,000 - 60,000 (€ 32,000 - 49,000) © Bonhams 2001-2018

Standing gently erect and dressed in monastic robes with arms to the sides, the hands originally raised and lowered in likely abhaya and varada mudras, a gentle curve to the back and one shoulder exposed, the rich garments elegantly rendered with waves of soft folds extending to the figure's bare feet which are supported on a conical plinth, the kashaya fastened over one shoulder in a loop, traces of the original red, green and black pigments and gold leaf embellishments remaining. 

Property from the Collection of Sally S. and Decatur H. Miller III.

The statue at Sally S. and Decatur H. Miller III's home.

Provenance: J.J Lally & Co., New York, 2014

Published: J.J Lally & Co., New York, Ancient Chinese Sculpture Recent Acquisitions, Spring 2014, no. 6

Note: Sculptures of this type are associated with Qingzhou, Shandong province where a large hoard of sculptures were discovered at the Longxing temple site in 1996. See the Royal Academy 2001 publication Return of the Buddha. The massive figures in this catalog, nos. 16 and 17, carry related pigment and gilt embellishment and suggest the original mudras on the now missing arms of this lot, the mantle fastening of no. 15 from the same group bears close relation to our figure. See a complete limestone figure, sold Sotheby's, London, 15 May 2013, lot 147 and a dated figure from the Robert Hatfield Ellsworth collection, sold Christie's New York, 20 March 2015, lot 752. See also an unembellished larger figure from the Dr. and Mrs. Marvin L. Gordon collection, sold Christie's, New York, 20 September 2013, lot 1509.