AN IMPORTANT GRAY SCHIST FIGURE OF THE STANDING BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA
AN IMPORTANT GRAY SCHIST FIGURE OF THE STANDING BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY
Finely carved, the Buddha standing upon a rectangular plinth centered by an altar with devotees on either side. He is clad in a heavy sanghati covering both shoulders and falling in broad, deeply undercut folds across the torso and legs, the drapery subtly revealing the muscular shoulders, soft abdomen, and rounded thighs beneath. The right knee bends gently forward, imparting a restrained sense of movement to the otherwise frontal pose. The sensitively modeled face bears a serene, introspective expression, with heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes beneath smoothly arched brows, a straight nose, and full rosebud lips, all framed by wavy hair drawn up into the ushnisha, backed by a nimbus.
Provenance: Collection of Yvette Starck, Luxembourg, acquired circa in 1975, and thence by descent to Jacques Grosbusch, Luxembourg.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, obvious losses, nicks to the sides of the face, scratches, signs of weathering and erosion, and encrustations.
Weight: 64.9 kg (excl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 104 cm (excl. stand), 109 cm (incl. stand)
Mounted on a modern stand. (2)
This finely carved figure embodies an idealized and transcendent male form. The heavy sanghati delicately models the muscular shoulders, torso, soft belly and rounded thigh; the right knee bends in preparation to step forward. This subtle gesture, along with the undulating folds of the robe, allows one to imagine the fabric fluttering as the Buddha moves. Heavy eyelids frame the almond-shaped eyes, the forehead remains perfectly unlined, and there is no tension in the rosebud mouth. While activated with energy, movement and life, the Buddha is simultaneously in a state of otherworldly tranquility.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 21 September 2007, lot 4
Price: USD 205,000 or approx.
EUR 283,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An elegant gray schist standing Buddha Ancient Region of Gandhara, Kushan Period, 2nd/3rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar wavy hair and heavy-lidded eyes.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Paris, 12 December 2024, lot 59
Price: EUR 102,000 or approx.
EUR 106,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare and important grey schist standing figure of Buddha, Ancient region of Gandhara, 2nd / 4th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar wavy hair and heavy-lidded eyes. Note the smaller size (73.5 cm).
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30%
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Time, Location
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AN IMPORTANT GRAY SCHIST FIGURE OF THE STANDING BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY
Finely carved, the Buddha standing upon a rectangular plinth centered by an altar with devotees on either side. He is clad in a heavy sanghati covering both shoulders and falling in broad, deeply undercut folds across the torso and legs, the drapery subtly revealing the muscular shoulders, soft abdomen, and rounded thighs beneath. The right knee bends gently forward, imparting a restrained sense of movement to the otherwise frontal pose. The sensitively modeled face bears a serene, introspective expression, with heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes beneath smoothly arched brows, a straight nose, and full rosebud lips, all framed by wavy hair drawn up into the ushnisha, backed by a nimbus.
Provenance: Collection of Yvette Starck, Luxembourg, acquired circa in 1975, and thence by descent to Jacques Grosbusch, Luxembourg.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, obvious losses, nicks to the sides of the face, scratches, signs of weathering and erosion, and encrustations.
Weight: 64.9 kg (excl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 104 cm (excl. stand), 109 cm (incl. stand)
Mounted on a modern stand. (2)
This finely carved figure embodies an idealized and transcendent male form. The heavy sanghati delicately models the muscular shoulders, torso, soft belly and rounded thigh; the right knee bends in preparation to step forward. This subtle gesture, along with the undulating folds of the robe, allows one to imagine the fabric fluttering as the Buddha moves. Heavy eyelids frame the almond-shaped eyes, the forehead remains perfectly unlined, and there is no tension in the rosebud mouth. While activated with energy, movement and life, the Buddha is simultaneously in a state of otherworldly tranquility.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 21 September 2007, lot 4
Price: USD 205,000 or approx.
EUR 283,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An elegant gray schist standing Buddha Ancient Region of Gandhara, Kushan Period, 2nd/3rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar wavy hair and heavy-lidded eyes.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Paris, 12 December 2024, lot 59
Price: EUR 102,000 or approx.
EUR 106,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare and important grey schist standing figure of Buddha, Ancient region of Gandhara, 2nd / 4th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar wavy hair and heavy-lidded eyes. Note the smaller size (73.5 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
