1st C. Gandharan Schist Head of Buddha
Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 200 BCE to 100 CE. One of the nicest we have seen! A finely carved grey schist head of Buddha, presenting a sensitively modeled face with solemn, half-closed eyes of an elegant almond shape, a long aquiline nose, and a gentle smile. The hair is styled into a large ushnisha. The Buddha's facial planes are veristically contoured, this realistic quality complemented by details such soft 'fleshy' lips and heavy eyelids. A special example of Greco-Buddhist art that demonstrates a strong syncretism between eastern and western traditions. Size: 4.2" W x 7.25" H (10.7 cm x 18.4 cm)
The Gandharan Empire made itself wealthy in part by controlling lucrative trade along the mountain passes between China in the East and the Near East and Mediterranean in the West; a great deal of this wealth went into local patronage of artisans and art. In the first century CE, Buddhism became fashionable amongst Gandharan elites, and the art produced at this time depicting the Buddha are some of the most striking Buddhist images from the past. Their artistic tradition also reflects the conquest of Alexander the Great and the introduction of styles from all sides, blended into a uniquely Gandharan tradition, which this Buddha exemplifies. Alexander the Great conquered Gandhara in 330 BCE and with the help of the Indo-Greek kings introduced classical traditions that would influence Gandharan art for the following seven centuries. The stylized wavy Mediterranean hair and top knot that derive from the Apollo Belvedere (330 BCE), as well as the sensitive modeling of the tranquil face displayed on this piece, for example, exhibit this classical influence.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, collected prior 2008
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#157127
Condition Report: A head from a larger composition. Chips to coiffure, ears, face, neckline, and verso, with light encrustations. Great preservation to details on face and coiffure and light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on verso.
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Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 200 BCE to 100 CE. One of the nicest we have seen! A finely carved grey schist head of Buddha, presenting a sensitively modeled face with solemn, half-closed eyes of an elegant almond shape, a long aquiline nose, and a gentle smile. The hair is styled into a large ushnisha. The Buddha's facial planes are veristically contoured, this realistic quality complemented by details such soft 'fleshy' lips and heavy eyelids. A special example of Greco-Buddhist art that demonstrates a strong syncretism between eastern and western traditions. Size: 4.2" W x 7.25" H (10.7 cm x 18.4 cm)
The Gandharan Empire made itself wealthy in part by controlling lucrative trade along the mountain passes between China in the East and the Near East and Mediterranean in the West; a great deal of this wealth went into local patronage of artisans and art. In the first century CE, Buddhism became fashionable amongst Gandharan elites, and the art produced at this time depicting the Buddha are some of the most striking Buddhist images from the past. Their artistic tradition also reflects the conquest of Alexander the Great and the introduction of styles from all sides, blended into a uniquely Gandharan tradition, which this Buddha exemplifies. Alexander the Great conquered Gandhara in 330 BCE and with the help of the Indo-Greek kings introduced classical traditions that would influence Gandharan art for the following seven centuries. The stylized wavy Mediterranean hair and top knot that derive from the Apollo Belvedere (330 BCE), as well as the sensitive modeling of the tranquil face displayed on this piece, for example, exhibit this classical influence.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, collected prior 2008
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#157127
Condition Report: A head from a larger composition. Chips to coiffure, ears, face, neckline, and verso, with light encrustations. Great preservation to details on face and coiffure and light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on verso.
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