GJPaw is pleased to
offer a fine and very beautiful antique Chinese marble 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 19.75
inches in width by 4.5 inches in depth by 25.0 inches in height (50.1 cm by 11.4
cm by 63.5 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.
A1610-022