Buddhist stele

When the Freer Gallery of Art acquired this stela, or tablet-shaped sculpture, in 1923, it was broken into five pieces. After conservators repaired it in 1933, it was long exhibited as a masterpiece. Recently, some doubts have arisen about the stela's authenticity based on the lack of similar works in China. In addition, little natural wear appears on the stone, which is suspect. Damage is limited to the heads of some figures and might have been intentionally inflicted by modern creators to "antique" the stela. This sculpture is an example of a previously unassailable work now undergoing more study in order to assess its genuineness.