CHINESE BUDDHIST STELE

Northern Wei Dynasty, Ca. 386-534 BC
An exceptionally well-formed stele, carved in four registers, all of which depict scenes from the life of Buddha. The uppermost panel shows the Buddha Shakyamuni under the legendary Bodhi tree, surrounded by figures. It was under this tree that the prince and spiritual teacher Siddartha Gautama sat and attained enlightenment, transcending his earthly life and becoming the Buddha. The scenes below are all of similar construction, featuring the Buddha at the centre, flanked by two followers on each side, framed by an arch. This arch decreases in complexity, with an intricate, spiralling pattern adorning the top of the second register, followed by a plain design on the scenes below.
Size: L:1920mm / W:610mm; 30+kg
Provenance: Collection of Chinese Stone Figures. Ex Collection of Roger Moss; The C Roger Moss OBE, 1936 - 2020 collection formely the President of "The oriental ceramics Society", these stone sculptures were acquired during his life in Hong Kong 1980 - 2003. This item has been checked against the Art Loss Register database.
Estimate: GBP 3000 - 6000