CHINESE NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY TERRACOTTA BRICK

C. 386-534 AD. Northern Wei Dynasty. A brick featuring four painted Buddhas within an arched recess. All four Buddhas wear red robes, and sit cross legged atop a dark-coloured carpet, and against a dark background. All four hold their hands resting in their laps. This is the Dhyana Mudra, or gesture of Dhyana, which symbolises wisdom. The Buddha used this gesture during his final meditation just before he attained enlightenment. 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 social and political turbulence. However, craftsmen working under this dynasty were also responsible for beautiful works of art, many of a religious nature, as this brick exemplifies. Provenance: Private London collection, formed in the 1970s on the UK and European art market. Size: L:180mm / W:355mm ; 6.8kg