A Chinese White Marble Buddhist Votive Stele – Northern Wei / Qi. The central carved Bodhisattva seated, pensive with the left leg resting on the right knee, the right hand, with finger raised, held to the face in contemplation. Flanked by four luohans, two on either side. Above these is the mandorla with four flying apsaras and a temple building in the centre. The rectangular plinth is carved with a bodhisattva and a lion-dog on either side of a table supported by two small figures on which is an incense burner. At the front of the plinth are two drilled circular holes. To the reverse of the plinth, at the base of each support of the mandorla, is a four-legged mythical creature. On the surface of one of the luohans are the remains of gilding. Height 53.5cm (21 inches), width 32cm (12.5 inches). Late Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-581), Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550-577) or possibly later.

Provenance: from the collection of the late Brian Page (1938-2018), the well-known Oriental art and antiques dealer from Brighton. Purchased by Mr. Page from a specialist dealer in Bath in the mid 1990s for £7,000 (by repute, invoice not available).

There are losses, particularly to the front of the plinth where the heads of the two small bodhisattvas have been lost. There are various breaks and repairs where the upper section had become broken from the plinth.

In 2015, Mr. Page commissioned a mineralogy & petrography report to determine whether or not all pieces were from the same original sculpture. The stele was examined by Petrolab Ltd., eleven areas were analysed and it was determined that all re-stuck pieces were indeed of the original sculpture. The thirteen-page report will be included in the sale and can be viewed on request.