A 'HUANGHUASHI' LIMESTONE FIGURE OF AVALOKITESHVARA, NORTHERN QI / SUI DYNASTY

A 'HUANGHUASHI' LIMESTONE FIGURE OF AVALOKITESHVARA

NORTHERN QI / SUI DYNASTY

北齊 / 隋 黃花石雕觀音像



the deity carved in the round with a slender physique and gently rounded face, the proper right arm bent at the elbow with the hand raised beside the chest, the left arm at the side and holding a covered vase, the sashes falling in folds from the narrow shoulders and the dhoti clinging to the body in the 'wet drapery' effect revealing the slight swell of the lower belly and the contours of the thighs, a heavy necklace with petal-form pendants hanging at the chest along with a double-chain suspending a large lotus bud-form ornament, a further double-chain punctuated with rosettes hanging down the front of the body, the face with a benevolent expression, a subtle smile playing across the lips and long eyebrows arching above the lowered eyelids, the hairline mirroring the curvature of the brows, the hair pulled into a high chignon and partially concealed by an elaborate five-peaked diadem, each peak supporting a tasseled roundel, a large jewel suspended in front of the urna and beaded strands hanging in loops between the roundels, a long sash securing the diadem at back of the head, the loose ends streaming down behind the pendulous ears, a natural soft brown patina coating the surface, affixed to a marble stand (2)

Height 12⅝ in., 32.1 cm