Bodhisattva de piedra pintada con mandorla, estilo de la dinastía Qi del Norte, escultura policromada china, antigua

Serene, elongated and still carrying its reds, greens and mineral tones, this painted stone bodhisattva is carved in the Northern Qi tradition of sixth-century northern China. Seated before a flame mandorla populated with attendant figures, it unites sculpture, relief and painted surface in a single devotional system.

The Piece

The figure sits in composed authority, the torso upright yet softened by a gentle curve, conveying spiritual stillness rather than rigid monumentality. The finely modeled face, with lowered eyes, a slight smile and smooth planes, reflects the Northern Qi preference for calm transcendence: restrained, inward-looking and contemplative, designed to guide the viewer toward meditative focus rather than dramatic effect.

Jewelry and layered garments are rendered in low relief, allowing the pigments to remain legible. These colors are not decorative additions but integral to the sculptural program, preserving the visual impact intended for cave-temple or shrine settings.

The mandorla, carved as a unified stone element, frames the figure with rhythmic flame and halo motifs populated by attendant figures, placing the sculpture within the Northern Qi stone-carving tradition. Northern Qi Buddhist sculpture flourished in northern China in the mid-sixth century, particularly in regions associated with the great cave complexes, and works of this type were made for temple halls and grotto sanctuaries, emphasizing doctrinal clarity and contemplative presence over theatrical display.

Details

• Subject: Seated bodhisattva with carved mandorla and attendant figures
• Era: Northern Qi dynasty style (6th century); antique, over 100 years
• Origin: China
• Material: Carved stone with original polychromy
• Weight: Approx. 40–60 kg (estimate)

Condition

• Consistent with an antique painted stone sculpture: surface wear, pigment loss and softened edges reflecting age and historical exposure.
• No modern repainting is assumed without in-hand examination; the work is valued for its iconography, polychromy and historical coherence.
• Painted stone requires stable humidity and controlled light.

Crating & Freight

Owing to its packed weight and dimensions, the sculpture cannot travel by Japan Post EMS, DHL, FedEx or UPS parcel service and is shipped by cargo or freight, with custom crating, reinforced packing and coordination with domestic logistics providers, international freight consolidators and export brokers. Delivery typically takes 6 to 10 weeks depending on routing, carrier availability and customs clearance in the destination country.

Actual freight costs may differ from automated calculator estimates. A portion of the expected cost may be reflected in the price, and any difference is quoted separately once destination, delivery method and handling requirements are confirmed. Collectors are asked to request a customized freight quotation for their destination before purchase.

• Estimated weight approx. 40–60 kg; safe packed weight approx. 80–100 kg
• Customs: HS 9706.00; country of origin China

Authenticity & Care

Dynastic attribution and dating rest on stylistic analysis and the available documentation and are probable rather than confirmed without in-hand examination; the work is best catalogued as a Northern Qi dynasty style painted stone bodhisattva. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Crated in Japan and shipped insured by air or sea freight. A freight quote is confirmed with you before dispatch through our Museum-Grade Logistics Suite™. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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