China, Northern Zhou Dynasty, circa 570 to 580 A.D.
This exceptional sculpture is remarkable for the incredibly detailed carving of the elaborate jewelry adorning this regal Bodhisattva, draped with ropes of jewels and pearls, and heavy chains, each link of which is crisply carved as is each jeweled bead. The large head has the squareness and horizontal eyes and the rings on the neck, which all help us date this sculpture to the later part of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. The elaborate jewelry is also something you see in the Northern Zhou into the Sui Dynasty, also helping date the piece.
Marble is rare for Chinese Buddhist sculptures, being reserved for imperial commissions. The quality of the carving of this masterpiece no doubt reflect the high status of the patron who commissioned this sculpture for their own private devotional use.