Lot 84. A rare grey limestone votive stele, Tang dynasty (618-907); 33.5 cm, 13 in. Estimate £40,000 - £0,000. © Sotheby's.

octagonally facetted with alternating broad and narrow niches, the broad niche enclosing the Buddha seated on a pedestal base, wearing long flowing robes open at the chest and extending down over the edge of the base in deep U-shaped folds, flanked by similarly dressed standing Bodhisattva, the stone of a pale grey tone. 

Provenance: Collection of Gustav Detring (1842-1913) and/or Constantin von Hanneken (1854-1925), and thence by descent.

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, London, 08 Nov 2018, 10:30 AM