Ancient Chinese Terracotta - Clay Buddha Head - Ming Dynasty (1368 / 1644)
07
days
13
hours
50
minutes
25
seconds
Current bid
€ 20
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 600 - € 750
 | €20 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €15 | |
| €1 |
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Bon condition Buddha head carved from terracotta with polychrome gesso, Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to early Qing period, height 18.1 cm and width 15.8 cm, provenance Germany, Galerie N.R.D.; authentic/original.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Terracotta and polychrome stucco Buddha head
China, Ming Dynasty to early Qing Dynasty (probably 16th–17th century).
Buddha head shaped in beige clay, surface coated with a chalk-based preparation (gesso) and painted in red, white, and gray tones.
It features the characteristic snail-shaped curls, half-closed almond-shaped eyes, and finely modeled lips.
This head originally formed part of a larger temple statue, made in painted clay or stucco.
Along the edges, small holes for attachment pegs are still discernible, as well as traces of old fractures.
This technique—a core of clay covered with stucco and enhanced with polychromy—is characteristic of Chinese temple sculptures dating from the Ming period to the early Qing Dynasty (roughly 1500–1700), and particularly from workshops in northern China (Shanxi, Hebei, and Gansu provinces).
Note the sculpture’s distinctive aesthetics: the fixed expression, half-closed eyes, and full, expressive lips.
Comparable pieces are found in international collections.
Dimensions: height 18.1 cm - width 15.8 cm
Good overall condition — Visible signs of age and use: chips in the pictorial layer, surface wear, small losses on the edges and curls, losses at the back of the skull.
The presence of earthy concretions and residues confirms the piece’s authenticity. Stable condition.
Dimensions: height 16.8 cm - width 14.7 cm
Provenance: Germany, Galerie N.R.D.
The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally; provenance declaration seen by Catawiki.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorized to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permits, such as an export license, are arranged. (Cultural object passport)
The seller will inform the buyer of their status if this takes more than a few days.
All seller’s items are shipped with insurance up to the purchase price and are accompanied by an illustrated descriptive document mentioning the provenance.
Seller's Story
Archeologia is a professional seller located in Metropolitan France. specializing in the sale of archaeological objects.
All items for sale have been legally acquired and have been subject to an appraisal.
An illustrated certificate including the description of the object and the provenance is provided with any object purchased.
Translated by Google TranslateTerracotta and polychrome stucco Buddha head
China, Ming Dynasty to early Qing Dynasty (probably 16th–17th century).
Buddha head shaped in beige clay, surface coated with a chalk-based preparation (gesso) and painted in red, white, and gray tones.
It features the characteristic snail-shaped curls, half-closed almond-shaped eyes, and finely modeled lips.
This head originally formed part of a larger temple statue, made in painted clay or stucco.
Along the edges, small holes for attachment pegs are still discernible, as well as traces of old fractures.
This technique—a core of clay covered with stucco and enhanced with polychromy—is characteristic of Chinese temple sculptures dating from the Ming period to the early Qing Dynasty (roughly 1500–1700), and particularly from workshops in northern China (Shanxi, Hebei, and Gansu provinces).
Note the sculpture’s distinctive aesthetics: the fixed expression, half-closed eyes, and full, expressive lips.
Comparable pieces are found in international collections.
Dimensions: height 18.1 cm - width 15.8 cm
Good overall condition — Visible signs of age and use: chips in the pictorial layer, surface wear, small losses on the edges and curls, losses at the back of the skull.
The presence of earthy concretions and residues confirms the piece’s authenticity. Stable condition.
Dimensions: height 16.8 cm - width 14.7 cm
Provenance: Germany, Galerie N.R.D.
The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally; provenance declaration seen by Catawiki.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorized to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permits, such as an export license, are arranged. (Cultural object passport)
The seller will inform the buyer of their status if this takes more than a few days.
All seller’s items are shipped with insurance up to the purchase price and are accompanied by an illustrated descriptive document mentioning the provenance.
Seller's Story
Archeologia is a professional seller located in Metropolitan France. specializing in the sale of archaeological objects.
All items for sale have been legally acquired and have been subject to an appraisal.
An illustrated certificate including the description of the object and the provenance is provided with any object purchased.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Chinese
Century/timeframe
Dynastie Ming (1368 / 1644)
Name of object
- Clay Buddha Head - Ming Dynasty (1368 / 1644)
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2026
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
