Rare and important Chinese Sui Dynasty Stele to be sold at auction June 18

by PegNews wire

A rare and important Chinese Sui Dynasty stele dated 613 A.D. which possesses both cultural and historic significance will be sold at auction June 18, 2008 at Dallas Auction Gallery, the Southwest's premier antiques and fine art auction house.

This stele originated from the Estate of Richard Shih-chiu Huang by descent from Professor Huang Fanggang, who was a Professor of Philosophy at the National Wuhan University in Kaiting, Szechwan and the son of Huang Yinpei.

The stele was purchased by Huang Fanggang from a Mukden, China curio dealer circa 1932. Period photos document the stele as being on display in his study. It has remained part of the families' private collection and has not been on public display or ever offered for sale.

The brown limestone triad stele is set against a background of juancao wen pattern, the central Shakyamuni Buddha figure is depicted seated atop a lotus pedestal flanked to each side by standing bodhisattva. Calligraphic inscription to the reverse translates:

"In the ninth year of the reign of Ta-Yeh of the great Sui Empire, on the full moon day of the tenth month, Disciple Cho Tsung-hsein and Disciple Tso-Chung-ho with deep reverence have the image of Buddha made in order that having bathed themselves and burnt inscence they might worship before it."

The date given corresponds to the year 613.

Dallas Auction Gallery welcomes consignments for Asian art, antiques and fine jewels throughout the year. Complimentary consultations are available.

Source: Dallas Auction Gallery