549 - 577 AD. Northern Qi Dynasty. Grey stone torso of a standing Buddha, without a head which would probably have originally been in precious metal. The torso stands upright, wears a light, billowing robe draped from his right shoulder and are gathered by a belt with a medallion buckle around the navel. The folds of the robe had been elegantly moulded to create a sense of motion. One arm is slightly raised above the other; the right hand holds a round object, perhaps a pomegranate, which is a traditional wedding gift in Chinese Buddhism and is considered to be a symbol of prosperity, health and fertility. Comparable pieces are known in the Royal Ontario Museum, see Homage to Heaven, Homage to Earth, 1992, p.163, pl.92 and in the Eskenzi exhibition (Sculpture and ornament in early Chinese art, London, 11 June-13 July 1996, no. 31). A similar item was recently sold at Christies, see https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-chinese-stone-torso-of-buddha-northern-4285175-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4285175 Excellent condition; on a custom stand. Size: L:670mm / W:260mm (w/o stand); 33.6 kg. Provenance: From an old Sumerset collection of Asian Art formed in the 1980s/1990s.