Ca. 581-618 AD. A stone head of Buddha with elaborate coiffured hair curls under a richly ornamented headdress. He is characterised by his arched brow, heavily lidded, half-closed eyes, bulbous nose, full lips, rounded chin, and large, pendulous ears. An urna is depicted in the centre of the forehead. This beautiful piece may originally have formed part of a larger statue. The Sui Dynasty was a period of profound change and innovation in Chinese history. It followed the Northern and Southern Dynasties and preceded the Tang Dynasty. During this time, Buddhism was introduced to China and gained a foothold in Chinese society.Size: L:260mm / W:140mm ; 15.8kgProvenance: From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK /European art markets.