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ID #SA1122504
FOR SALE
£35,000
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Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Sandstone Head of Avalokiteshvara
For sale by Original Retro
for sale €40,950     $44,450
£35,000

Original Retro

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2011
Browse dealers 105 items
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Id #SA1122504
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Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Sandstone Head of Avalokiteshvara

Pre 16th century
For Sale by Original Retro
Description

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Sandstone Head of Avalokiteshvara

Beautiful carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara (the earthly manifestation of the self-born eternal Buddha Amitabha) Bodhisattva

from the Ming dynasty 1368-1644.

The carved head has residue of the original paints.

Avalokiteshvara guards the world in the interval between the exit of the historical Buddha Gautama and the appearance of the future Buddha

Maitreya.

Dimensions: Height approx. 14 Inches (36cm) - Width approx. 9 Inches (23cm) - Depth approx. 9.5 Inches (24cm)

Physical Dimensions
Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
23cm (9.06")
Depth
24cm (9.45")
Declaration

Original Retro has dated this Sandstone Avalokiteshvara Head to a period before the 16th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1122504
Dealers Notes

Valley Antique Centre

Hollins Mill

Suite 5 Unit 8

Pennine Industrial Park

Valley Road

Hebden Bridge

HX7 7BZ

(0044) 01422 887420 or (0044) 07780 687139

Openings Times:

Every day from 10 pm - 16.00 am

Description
Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Sandstone Head of Avalokiteshvara
“
Beautiful carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara (the earthly manifestation of the self-born eternal Buddha Amitabha) Bodhisattva.
Original Retro

from the Ming dynasty 1368-1644.

fig 1. Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment.
fig 1. Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Sandstone Head of Avalokiteshvara

The carved head has residue of the original paints.

Avalokiteshvara guards the world in the interval between the exit of the historical Buddha Gautama and the appearance of the future Buddha

Maitreya.

Dimensions: Height approx. 14 Inches (36cm) - Width approx. 9 Inches (23cm) - Depth approx. 9.5 Inches (24cm)

Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
23cm (9.06")
Depth
24cm (9.45")
Date of Manufacture

Original Retro has dated this Sandstone Avalokiteshvara Head to a period before the 16th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1122504
Original Retro
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2011
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Original Retro Profile Page

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Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment.
1 / 9
Archive I Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment.

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Sandstone Head of Avalokiteshvara

Archive II Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View II
Archive III Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View III
Archive IV Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View IV
Archive V Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View V
Archive VI Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View VI
Archive VII Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View VII
Archive VIII Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View VIII
Archive IX Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment. View IX
Enlarged Archival View

Original Retro
Telephone 01422 887420 or 07780 687139
Location
Valley Antique Centre
Suite 5 Unit 8
Pennine Industrial Park
Valley Road
Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX7 7BZ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/originalretro
Verified Since Jul 2011
Items For Sale 105
Items Sold 7
Original Retro
Verified Since Jul 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: Valley Antique Centre, Suite 5 Unit 8, Pennine Industrial Park, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7BZ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/originalretro
Verified
Jul 2011
For Sale
105
Sold
7
Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment.
Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Sandstone Head of Avalokiteshvara
Ref: SA1122504
Carved sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara featuring an elaborate crown, gentle facial contours, and visible traces of red and green pigment.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculpture
  • PeriodPre 16th century
  • StyleMing Dynasty
  • MaterialSandstone, Pigment
  • ColourSand Brown
  • MotifsCarved crown, serene expression, elongated earlobes, downcast eyes
  • SizeH 36 cm (14 in) x W 23 cm (9 in) x D 24 cm (9 in)

This sandstone sculpture depicts the head of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara from the Ming dynasty, dating to the period before the sixteenth century. The sand brown stone displays visible traces of red and green pigment across the surface, an ornate carved crown featuring a central bottle form, downcast eyes under arched brows, gentle facial contours, and elongated earlobes. Signs of age include surface weathering, worn pigment residues, and minor losses to the stone edges. The carved head stands 36 cm high, 23 cm wide, and 24 cm deep. Suitable for interior display, this sculptural fragment sits atop a sideboard, console table, or open shelf within a gentleman's library, study, or living room. The piece integrates into traditional or eclectic interior schemes as a standalone decorative object.

FAQs

Avalokiteshvara, known in China as Guanyin, represents compassion in Buddhist iconography. During the Ming Dynasty, depictions evolved from traditional Indian artistic influences toward distinct Chinese aesthetic features, characterized by serene expressions, flowing drapery, and elaborate tiaras often housing small deity figures or lotus motifs.

Sculptors during the Ming era predominantly utilised native sandstone, limestone, marble, and wood. Stone carvings were routinely finished with layers of gesso and hand-applied polychrome pigments or gold leaf to enhance detail and visual impact within temple settings.

Authenticity is assessed by evaluating chisel technique, natural surface weathering, erosion patterns within the sandstone grain, and traces of original pigment. Original period pieces also display distinct stylistic traits in facial proportions, eyebrow arches, and crown ornamentation representative of 14th to 17th-century craft standards.

A stone sculpture head is best presented on a minimalist metal or wooden plinth to elevate its profile. Positioned on a sideboard, console table, or within an illuminated alcove, directional warm lighting highlights the textured sandstone surface and sculptural contours.

Sandstone is porous and requires careful handling. Dust should be removed gently using a soft-bristled brush or low-powered vacuum with a soft attachment. Chemical cleaners, water, and abrasive cloths must be avoided to prevent stripping residual historical pigments or degrading the stone structure.
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