Chinese Marble Buddhist Stele

Five figures in a niche of marble, with small seated Buddhas arched overhead.

This Buddhist stele comes from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. It is marble. Chinese Buddhists carved steles over many centuries as acts of devotion and merit making. A seated Buddha occupies the center, one hand raised and a rayed halo behind the head, flanked by four standing attendants on lotus pedestals. An arched band of smaller figures runs above the niche. Along the bottom, two seated beasts face a central flame. The stone is pale, with warm ochre in the recesses. Twenty-nine inches high and 16 wide.

Five figures, one block, and a stillness shared among them.