CHINESE NORTHER WEI PAINTED TERRACOTTA BRICK

C. 386-534 AD. Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty. A terracotta brick in a cream-coloured fabric featuring a beautiful depiction of a seated Buddha with a red robe, black hair and blue halo. The figure has a raised right hand, with the palm facing outwards and the fingers upwards while the left arm is held close to the body. This gesture, known as the Abhaya Mudra symbolises wisdom and fearlessness. The Northern Wei dynasty ruled northern China from c. 386 to 534 AD and its most famous achievement was unifying a large empire following a long period of social and political turbulence. However, craftsmen working under this dynasty were also responsible for beautiful works of art, many of which relate to the Buddhist religion, as this object exemplifies. Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1990s Size: L:340mm / W:170mm; 5.45kg