Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Buddhist Terracotta Brick with Seated Buddha Relief | 5th Century CE

$2,000.00
$2,000.00
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Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty terracotta Buddha relief brick
Rotating view of an authentic Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty terracotta Buddha brick, showing recessed shrine niche, haloed seated Buddha, flowing robes, canopy motif, and ancient patina.
Authentic Northern Wei Buddhist architectural brick with seated Buddha
Early Chinese Buddhist terracotta brick with haloed Buddha figure
Northern Wei Dynasty Buddha shrine brick with recessed niche
Ancient Chinese Buddha relief brick carved in terracotta
Northern Wei Buddhist temple brick with seated Buddha sculpture
Fifth century Chinese Buddhist terracotta brick with halo
Museum-quality Northern Wei Buddha relief brick on display
Chinese Northern Wei architectural fragment with Buddha carving
Early Chinese Buddhist devotional brick with recessed shrine scene
Northern Wei terracotta brick with Buddha seated in meditation
Ancient Chinese Buddhist brick with canopy and carved robes
Northern Wei Dynasty Buddha relief showing blessing gesture
Chinese early Buddhist art terracotta architectural brick
Authentic 5th century Chinese Buddha shrine brick with patina
Northern Wei Buddhist sculpture brick with traces of pigment
  • Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty terracotta Buddha relief brick
  • Rotating view of an authentic Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty terracotta Buddha brick, showing recessed shrine niche, haloed seated Buddha, flowing robes, canopy motif, and ancient patina.
  • Authentic Northern Wei Buddhist architectural brick with seated Buddha
  • Early Chinese Buddhist terracotta brick with haloed Buddha figure
  • Northern Wei Dynasty Buddha shrine brick with recessed niche
  • Ancient Chinese Buddha relief brick carved in terracotta
  • Northern Wei Buddhist temple brick with seated Buddha sculpture
  • Fifth century Chinese Buddhist terracotta brick with halo
  • Museum-quality Northern Wei Buddha relief brick on display
  • Chinese Northern Wei architectural fragment with Buddha carving
  • Early Chinese Buddhist devotional brick with recessed shrine scene
  • Northern Wei terracotta brick with Buddha seated in meditation
  • Ancient Chinese Buddhist brick with canopy and carved robes
  • Northern Wei Dynasty Buddha relief showing blessing gesture
  • Chinese early Buddhist art terracotta architectural brick
  • Authentic 5th century Chinese Buddha shrine brick with patina
  • Northern Wei Buddhist sculpture brick with traces of pigment
Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty terracotta Buddha relief brick
Rotating view of an authentic Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty terracotta Buddha brick, showing recessed shrine niche, haloed seated Buddha, flowing robes, canopy motif, and ancient patina.
Authentic Northern Wei Buddhist architectural brick with seated Buddha
Early Chinese Buddhist terracotta brick with haloed Buddha figure
Northern Wei Dynasty Buddha shrine brick with recessed niche
Ancient Chinese Buddha relief brick carved in terracotta
Northern Wei Buddhist temple brick with seated Buddha sculpture
Fifth century Chinese Buddhist terracotta brick with halo
Museum-quality Northern Wei Buddha relief brick on display
Chinese Northern Wei architectural fragment with Buddha carving
Early Chinese Buddhist devotional brick with recessed shrine scene
Northern Wei terracotta brick with Buddha seated in meditation
Ancient Chinese Buddhist brick with canopy and carved robes
Northern Wei Dynasty Buddha relief showing blessing gesture
Chinese early Buddhist art terracotta architectural brick
Authentic 5th century Chinese Buddha shrine brick with patina
Northern Wei Buddhist sculpture brick with traces of pigment

Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Buddhist Terracotta Brick with Seated Buddha Relief | 5th Century CE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: China, East Asia
Material: Low-fired terracotta / earthenware brick with carved relief and traces of original pigment
Period: Northern Wei Dynasty, circa 386–534 CE

Description

A powerful and evocative Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Buddhist architectural brick carved in deep relief with a seated Buddha figure within a recessed shrine-like niche. The figure is depicted frontally in serene composure, framed by a circular halo and draped in flowing layered robes, with one hand raised in a gesture of blessing and the other resting calmly in the lap. A striated, temple-like canopy is carved across the upper edge of the niche, enhancing the architectural character of the composition. The surrounding brick remains intentionally rough and tactile, creating strong contrast with the sacred figure within.

Northern Wei Buddhist bricks such as this were traditionally integrated into temple architecture, monastery walls, and sacred devotional structures, contributing both spiritual presence and artistic beauty to religious environments. This example embodies the refined spiritual elegance of early Chinese Buddhist art during a period when Buddhism flourished and monumental temple construction expanded significantly.

Features

- Authentic Northern Wei carved Buddhist architectural brick

- Deeply recessed shrine composition with seated Buddha figure

- Haloed figure with flowing robes and blessing gesture

- Temple roof–inspired canopy motif carved above the niche

- Traces of ancient pigment preserved within protected recesses

- Distinct devotional presence with strong archaeological authenticity

Cultural Significance

During the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 CE), Buddhism reached a period of profound expansion in China. Temple complexes, grotto sanctuaries, and sacred structures were richly embellished with architectural reliefs depicting Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Bricks like this served as integral devotional elements, creating spiritual continuity throughout sacred spaces. The halo, posture, and symbolic gesture reflect core Buddhist themes of enlightenment, compassion, and divine protection, embodying the pivotal role of Buddhist imagery in shaping early Chinese religious identity.

Condition

Excellent condition for its great age, exhibiting authentic and desirable devotional wear. Surface softening to some carved details, minor edge losses, small firing fissures, and encrustations consistent with antiquity and architectural placement. Stable, intact, and retaining an appealing untouched archaeological patina with traces of pigment preserved in sheltered areas.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 12.75 inches
Width: 6 inches
Depth: 2.35 inches

Age

Over 1,400 years old

Learn More

View a comparable Northern Wei Buddha brick and historical details at the Met Museum:
Metropolitan Museum of Art – Northern Wei Buddha Brick

Explore more authentic Chinese artifacts in our curated collection:
Ancient Chinese Artifacts & Imperial Relics

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: China, East Asia
Material: Low-fired terracotta / earthenware brick with carved relief and traces of original pigment
Period: Northern Wei Dynasty, circa 386–534 CE

Description

A powerful and evocative Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Buddhist architectural brick carved in deep relief with a seated Buddha figure within a recessed shrine-like niche. The figure is depicted frontally in serene composure, framed by a circular halo and draped in flowing layered robes, with one hand raised in a gesture of blessing and the other resting calmly in the lap. A striated, temple-like canopy is carved across the upper edge of the niche, enhancing the architectural character of the composition. The surrounding brick remains intentionally rough and tactile, creating strong contrast with the sacred figure within.

Northern Wei Buddhist bricks such as this were traditionally integrated into temple architecture, monastery walls, and sacred devotional structures, contributing both spiritual presence and artistic beauty to religious environments. This example embodies the refined spiritual elegance of early Chinese Buddhist art during a period when Buddhism flourished and monumental temple construction expanded significantly.

Features

- Authentic Northern Wei carved Buddhist architectural brick

- Deeply recessed shrine composition with seated Buddha figure

- Haloed figure with flowing robes and blessing gesture

- Temple roof–inspired canopy motif carved above the niche

- Traces of ancient pigment preserved within protected recesses

- Distinct devotional presence with strong archaeological authenticity

Cultural Significance

During the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 CE), Buddhism reached a period of profound expansion in China. Temple complexes, grotto sanctuaries, and sacred structures were richly embellished with architectural reliefs depicting Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Bricks like this served as integral devotional elements, creating spiritual continuity throughout sacred spaces. The halo, posture, and symbolic gesture reflect core Buddhist themes of enlightenment, compassion, and divine protection, embodying the pivotal role of Buddhist imagery in shaping early Chinese religious identity.

Condition

Excellent condition for its great age, exhibiting authentic and desirable devotional wear. Surface softening to some carved details, minor edge losses, small firing fissures, and encrustations consistent with antiquity and architectural placement. Stable, intact, and retaining an appealing untouched archaeological patina with traces of pigment preserved in sheltered areas.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 12.75 inches
Width: 6 inches
Depth: 2.35 inches

Age

Over 1,400 years old

Learn More

View a comparable Northern Wei Buddha brick and historical details at the Met Museum:
Metropolitan Museum of Art – Northern Wei Buddha Brick

Explore more authentic Chinese artifacts in our curated collection:
Ancient Chinese Artifacts & Imperial Relics

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