Object Details
Description
Carved head exists as a fragment with the back cut away and broken at the neck. Hair sits low on the forhead and has snail-shell shaped pattern. Proper left ear missing and proper right ear mostly gone. Downcast eyes, corpulent face with full cheeks and pursed mouth.
Label
Carved of dark gray limestone, this imposing Buddha head is characterized by a serene yet remote expression that is typical of early Tang dynasty religious images. Imperial patronage of Buddhism during the Tang dynasty, approximately seven hundred years after knowledge of Buddhism first reached China, resulted in the creation of some of the most impressive sculptures in Chinese history. For this Buddha head, all traces of Indian and Central Asian influence have been replaced by a native Chinese aesthetic. Sculptures of this style are found in the Longmen cave temples in Henan Province and may have been the source for this piece.
Provenance
? - to 1965
J.T. Tai & Co., New York, NY [1]
1965-1977
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, NY, purchased from J.T. Tai & Co., New York, NY [2]
1977-1987
The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, purchased from J.T. Tai & Co., New York, NY [3]
From 1987
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
Notes:
[1] The dealer number is YT 4498. See invoice from J.T. Tai & Co., dated March 24, 1965, copy in object file.
[2] Dr. Arthur M. Sackler purchased this object from J.T. Tai & Co. in March 1965. He donated the object to the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation in December 1977.
[3] See the paper documentation from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation.
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Exhibition History
Pavilions and Immortal Mountains: Chinese Decorative Art and Paintings (September 28, 1987 to February 28, 1988)
Previous custodian or owner
J. T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)
Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)
Credit Line
Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
Date
ca. 700
Period
Tang dynasty
Accession Number
S1997.26
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
H x W x D: 76.2 cm (30 in)
Weight: 129.3 kg (285.1 lb)
Origin
Probably Longmen caves, Probably Henan province, China
On View
East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery), Level 2 Staircase Corridor
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
stone
Buddhism
Buddha
Tang dynasty (618 - 907)
ushnisha
China
Chinese Art
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_S1997.26