A finely modelled Chinese, Northern Wei, rectangular ceramic brick, featuring the image of Buddha. The figure, rendered in high-relief, is depicted seated on a dais with the hands concealed under the folds of his long robe. The facial features depict a calm, contemplative expression. His hair is styled into a high bun and draped fabric clothes the body. The figure is placed in a rectangular niche with the top of the panel decorated with draping. The reverse of the brick displays with a repetitive pattern of vertical grooves, probably to increase the grip of the tile for attachment to a surface. There are some chips to the top and one side of the piece. The Northern Wei reform contributed greatly to an amalgamation of art and culture in sixth-century China. This was manifested in painting, calligraphy, the funerary and decorative arts, and in the style of the cave-temples at Longmen in Henan Province. It was during the Northern Wei Dynasty that Buddhism was first introduced to China and from then became inextricably intertwined with Chinese culture – Over 30,000 Buddhist images dating from the Northern Wei Dynasty have been found to date. Measurements: Height~30.5cm, Width~14cm, Depth~4.8cm Provenance: Private UK Collection