Country Group: China, Japan and Korea

Item id: 9585

Early Chinese Bronze Buddhist “Angel,” Pre-Tang, 5th–6th Century From a Large and Elaborate Altar Back-Plate. This remarkably expressive early Chinese bronze “angel” comes from a large, intricately constructed back-plate of a Buddhist altar, dating to the 5th–6th century, well before the Tang dynasty. Though small in scale, the figure has an astonishing presence—the face is superbly modeled, full of personality, and executed with a level of refinement that immediately sets it apart.



The piece measures approximately 2.4 inches tall and 2.2 inches wide, and rises to 4 inches on its custom stand. Like other figures that once adorned these monumental altar back-plates, it was individually cast and originally attached by a loop on the reverse. Remarkably, the original loop survives and is now used to mount the sculpture securely to the custom stand. Depth is 0.65 inches. Despite its size, this figure is extremely rare, exceptionally early, and beautifully crafted—qualities seldom seen together in surviving examples of early Chinese Buddhist metalwork. The charm, vitality, and delicacy of the sculpting give it an “alive” quality that is unforgettable.



In over 30 years of selling early Asian art, this is one of the rarest and most museum-worthy Chinese pieces I have offered.