GJPaw is pleased to offer a fine and very beautiful antique Chinese Qing Zhou stone Stele, from Hebei Province, China. The themes, materials, and techniques in Chinese Buddhist stone sculpture vary according to region and period, as exemplified by the finely-carved stone sculptures from Qingzhou (in Shandong Province), and the radiant bodhisattva combining Chinese and Indian styles carved in the grottoes at Tianlongshan (in Shanxi Province) during the high Tang period. Buddhist steles represent an important subset of early Chinese Buddhist art that flourished during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (386–581). Chinese steles are generally rectangular stone tablets upon which Chinese characters are carved intaglio with a funerary, commemorative, or edifying text. Steles were usually commissioned by families or groups of individuals in the hopes of accruing spiritual merit both for themselves, the benefit of the current rulers, and for their ancestors and extended family. In this way, they satisfied the demands of a Confucian society, with its emphasis on family ties, Buddhism, and spiritual salvation. Typically, the main figures in a stele sit or stand, directly facing the viewer. The stone sculptural tradition in Quyang county (Hebei Province) in particular, is known as the 'Hometown of Chinese stone carving' with a long history dating back to the Han and Tang dynasties. Rich in marble, the county has produced many famous stone carvings, and are known for their vivid and delicate works of Buddhist statues, and other sculptures. This fabulous sculpture measures 17.0 inches in width by 4.5 inches in depth by 31.0 inches in height (43.1 cm by 11.4 cm by 78.7 cm). The sculpture is of indeterminate age, but is in very good condition, including chips, cracks, scrapes and rubbing that are normal with the aging process of marble. The weather-aging patina also adds to the beauty of the piece. A fine collector’s piece, it would make a superb addition to any collection of Chinese sculpture, Buddhist art or Chinese art in general.

Standard international freight shipping is NOT included for this item. Please inquire for freight quote, which will include custom crating and packaging, and International freight to your closest port, business or residential address. Additional shipping options, such as freight forwarding or white glove service can be added upon request.

GJPaw Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the Globe at Primitive in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add GJPaw to Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at our other auction items.

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