buddha torso Northern QI *marcel ronda

Gray limestone
China – Qingzhou site
Northern Qi dynasty (AD 550 – 577)
Hauteur : 60 cm


Sculpted in the round in the “Column” style, this bodhisattva still bears traces of gilt and red polychrome.

According to the iconographic rules prevailing at that time, Bodhisattva wears many jewels inspired by the raiment of Indian princes. Beyond the obvious symbol of wealth, these jewels are the evidence of the bodhisattva’s divine nature. The two most important are a wide pectoral necklace and a long chain alternating beads, floral brooches, and crescent-shaped ornaments. The clothing is very elaborate and done with strict attention to detail: the geometric folds and orderly lines bear witness to the art of the northern craftsmen. The garment baring the torso and the forearms is three layers thick.

The very straight back of the statue is less ornate, but still exqui sitely executed.

Références
A closely similar Bodhisattva discovered in Qingzhou is published in “Buddhist Sculptures, New discoveries from Qingzhou”, Shandong province, page 281, N° 68, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 2001.
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