A LIMESTONE STELE DEPICTIG VARIOUS BUDDHIST SCENES

Description:

China, Northern Qi Dynasty, inscription with date 556 A.D.
98,3 x 38,7 cm/ 112,3 x 49 cm
The double sided stele sculpted in low relief to one side with two registers, the upper one with probably Maitreya seated with legs crossed on a throne flanked to each side by a standing bodhisattva, the lower scene showing Buddha Shakyamuni seated in vajrasana on a throne, his right hand in abhayamudra, flanked by a pair of disciples, the other side carved with three registers, the upper one with Maitreya seated on a throne flanked by four seated figures, the middle one with two Buddha figures seated on a throne flanked by a pair of disciples, the lower register with Buddha Shakyamuni seated on a lotus base, flanked by a pair of disciples and bodhisattvas and both sides carved with a standing bodhisattva surmounted by two seated Buddha figures, one side with inscription with the date of AD 556.
From the estate of the Helmut Ploog Collection (1940-2024), original invoice, Chris Ng K & Soon Limited, received 24 July 2001, shown on a photo in October 2001 (original preserved) - Minor signs of age, wear, partly chipped