GANDHARAN SCHIST BUDDHA PERFORMING MIRACLES

Ca. 100-200 AD. A schist stone carving of a standing Buddha performing Twin Miracles. The figure stands upright, radiating an aura of serenity and spiritual power. The figure's head with carefully arranged hair is backed by a halo with the flames miraculously emerging from his shoulders and water from his feet. The head is exquisitely carved with naturalistic features, including deep-cast, almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose, arched eyebrows, small, smiling lips, round cheeks, and chin, and elongated earlobes. Between his eyebrows, he has an urna, which represents the third eye of wisdom. The figure wears a full-length sanghati, which covers his entire body. The sanghati is nicely accentuated with folds, giving the figure a sense of movement and dynamism. The details of the sanghati, including the hemline, pleats, and folds, are rendered with great skill and attention to detail, creating a sense of realism and depth. Buddha stands atop a plinth decorated with a relief scene of two kneeling worshipper figures facing an altar. The scene is framed by two columns, which further enhance the sense of depth and perspective. According to Buddhist tradition, the twin miracles of Buddha refer to two supernatural events that occurred during his life. The first miracle happened when flames emerged from his shoulders, symbolizing the purification of his mind, body, and speech. The second miracle occurred when water emerged from his feet, symbolizing the calming of his emotions and the peacefulness of his mind. For a similar, see Christie's, Live Auction 2551, Indian and Southeast Asian, 21 March 2012, Lot 720. Size: L:630mm / W:210mm ; 20.04kg Provenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in early 2000s in Belgium; previously in 1970s European collection.