A GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF BUDDHA, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 2ND-3RD CENTURY
A GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF BUDDHA, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 2ND-3RD CENTURY
Finely carved, the serene face with heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes, below elegantly arched brows, centered by a circular urna. The pronounced aquiline nose above full bow-shaped lips, flanked by elongated earlobes, and the hair arranged in long wavy locks over the gently domed ushnisha.
Provenance: Collection of Yvette Starck, Luxembourg, acquired circa in 1975, and thence by descent to Jacques Grosbusch, Luxembourg.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, obvious losses, encrustations, and an old repair to the right earlobe.
Weight: 12.3 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 30 cm (excl. stand), 40 cm (incl. stand)
Mounted on a modern stand. (2)
The graceful lines of the face, with the prominent chin, full lips, and gently arching brows contribute to the regal nature of this head of Buddha. Because he has cast aside the life of a prince, Buddha is shown without ornamentation, though the lobes of his ears hang pendulously from years of wearing heavy jewelry. The locks of the hair, pulled up and tied back over the ushnisha, reflect the emphasis on naturalism in the Gandharan period, whereas in later periods, the Buddha's hair is often shown in stylized snailshell curls. The refined minimalism of this head is reinforced by the lustrous quality of the stone, a dark and finer grain of schist that was highly prized for the high level of detail a sculptor could achieve with this material, and was therefore often reserved for the most important figures.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related gray schist head of Buddha, Gandhara, dated 2nd-3rd century, 38.7 cm high, in the British Museum, museum number 1929,1104.2.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 21 March 2012, lot 701
Price: USD 43,750 or approx.
EUR 55,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gray schist head of Buddha, Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving, with similar facial features and hair, as well as the similar color of the stone. Note the slightly larger size (35.1 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 14 September 2010, lot 4
Price: USD 98,500 or approx.
EUR 130,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A black schist head of Buddha, Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving, with similar facial features and hair, as well as the similar color of the stone. Note the similar size (29.1 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
A GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF BUDDHA, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 2ND-3RD CENTURY
Finely carved, the serene face with heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes, below elegantly arched brows, centered by a circular urna. The pronounced aquiline nose above full bow-shaped lips, flanked by elongated earlobes, and the hair arranged in long wavy locks over the gently domed ushnisha.
Provenance: Collection of Yvette Starck, Luxembourg, acquired circa in 1975, and thence by descent to Jacques Grosbusch, Luxembourg.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, obvious losses, encrustations, and an old repair to the right earlobe.
Weight: 12.3 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 30 cm (excl. stand), 40 cm (incl. stand)
Mounted on a modern stand. (2)
The graceful lines of the face, with the prominent chin, full lips, and gently arching brows contribute to the regal nature of this head of Buddha. Because he has cast aside the life of a prince, Buddha is shown without ornamentation, though the lobes of his ears hang pendulously from years of wearing heavy jewelry. The locks of the hair, pulled up and tied back over the ushnisha, reflect the emphasis on naturalism in the Gandharan period, whereas in later periods, the Buddha's hair is often shown in stylized snailshell curls. The refined minimalism of this head is reinforced by the lustrous quality of the stone, a dark and finer grain of schist that was highly prized for the high level of detail a sculptor could achieve with this material, and was therefore often reserved for the most important figures.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related gray schist head of Buddha, Gandhara, dated 2nd-3rd century, 38.7 cm high, in the British Museum, museum number 1929,1104.2.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 21 March 2012, lot 701
Price: USD 43,750 or approx.
EUR 55,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gray schist head of Buddha, Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving, with similar facial features and hair, as well as the similar color of the stone. Note the slightly larger size (35.1 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 14 September 2010, lot 4
Price: USD 98,500 or approx.
EUR 130,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A black schist head of Buddha, Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving, with similar facial features and hair, as well as the similar color of the stone. Note the similar size (29.1 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
