The Northern Wei dynasty Buddha, Matriya, first led us into the grey and black world of Chinese sculpture. The amazing sense of calm and fluidity represented in harmony through the stability of the stone. The skillful handwork from these masters can still be felt and shared as one looks at the intricate and bold details that still hold form through thousands of years. A sense of time is at once amplified and at the same time bridged as one can clearly see the effects that aging and survival has had on these works, yet still clearly see the remaining mark of the artist's hand.
Buddha Sakyamuni Eastern Wei (534-550 AD) Limestone
This standing Buddha Sakyamuni is 88.5 cm in height carved in limestone.
The most precious part of this work is the delicate caving skill of Buddha's facial expression.
In general, this Buddha Sakyamuni is a great example showcasing the transitional style of the Eastern Wei dynasty. It is in succession to the traditional Northern Wei dynasty style which depicts a mysterious smile and a slimmer body. It illustrates the new tendency to create a more realistic sense of volume, lacking in the depictions typical of the Northern Qi dynasty.
