Foxiang (Zaoxiang): stele with headless Buddha presented fro - Lot 72

Foxiang (Zaoxiang): stele with headless Buddha presented frontally, the missing right hand should be raised in abhaya mudra (absence of fear), and the left hand in varada mudra (giving) as is often the case in Northern Wei steles. The Buddha is dressed in a monastic mantle, beneath which the robe appears. The halo, with the hole for the head, is always present, as is the entire base of the stele, decorated with lotus leaves, then in a second register with stylized flowers. The top is occupied by flying celestial beings seemingly descending from the sky, some playing music. This type of figure, depicted against the background of a mandorla stele, appears to be derived from bronze votive figures. The composition of this stele, as well as the Buddha's habit, are expressions of the most classical Northern Wei statuary. China, Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). 53x17xH108cm.