3rd C. Gandharan Schist Sculpture Bodhisattva Maitreya

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Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 24, 2022

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• Lot Description
  Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 3rd century CE. A breathtaking sculpture of Maitreya, also known as the "Earthly Buddha" - a bodhisattva who is said to be the future Buddha - skillfully hand-carved with meticulous detail from shimmery, forest green-hued schist. Seated in padmasana or lotus position, the tranquil deity is depicted in the guise of an ascetic with a slender body draped in billowing folds of a lengthy robe secured at his waist by a stippled belt. The cascading pleats of fabric gracefully arch across his lap to gently fall into the crook of his right arm, beautifully highlighting his muscular chest and recessed abdomen, as bracelets, an armband, a beaded necklace, and a thick collar further adorn his figure. Size: 10.6" W x 12.6" H (26.9 cm x 32 cm); 15.3" H (38.9 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  He raises his right hand in the abhayamudra or gesture of fearlessness - the open palm revealing an incised lotus flower - while his left holds a pyriform kamnandalu or ascetic's water vessel - a symbol of rebirth as well as the lustral rite of unction. His sultry gaze is directed outward; his handsome countenance displaying huge, heavy-lidded eyes beneath a fine, arched brow line, a naturalistic nose with broad nostrils, a stately, curved moustache, and fleshy lips held closed in serene silence. An annular urna decorates his brow, crowned by a short coiffure of luscious coils pulled up into a half-bun to form a bow-shaped ushnisha at the top of his head. His amorous stare is then perfectly framed by a sizeable, circular halo that stretches from shoulder to shoulder.
  
  This is an amazing and naturalistic carving from the period of Greco-Buddhist art. 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 is some of the most striking Buddhist images from the past. This 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. The curly hair of this sculpture and others from the same tradition were likely influenced by the Belvedere Apollo (ca. 330 BCE).
  
  According to researcher Dr. Dinh Hong Hai, "The Maitreya images in Gandhara feature the lively expression of the Maitreya images as a bodhisattva and an incarnation of the Future Buddha. This constitutes one of the most salient characters of Gandhara art which is distinct from other Buddhist centers of the same period. In Gandhara, artistic images are not only worshipping objects but also express deep feelings. Regarding forms of representations, Gandhara artists made a breakthrough in turning vague, abstract images into lively and human-like artworks. Thus, the Maitreya image becomes closer to human form, narrowing the gap between human beings and deities. It can be said that artistic images in general and Maitreya images in particular of Gandhara art have reached their height in Buddhist art. Their contributions are not only meaningful for spreading Buddhism but also for the world fine arts. This marks an important point of art in the evolution of mankind's civilization." ("Maitreya Images in Asian Buddhist Fine Arts," Harvard-Yenching Institute Working Paper Series, 2009, pp. 9 to 10)
  
  Cf. Victoria and Albert Museum, IS.100-1972, British Museum, 1902,0520.2, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1987.218.11 and 42.25.15.
  
  Provenance: private Tallahassee, Florida, USA collection; ex-Bernice Longazel collection, purchased in Afghanistan in 1961
  
  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.
  
  #170522

  Condition

  Head reattached with restoration over break lines. Verso is restored with new material displaying stable fissures and repainted to match schist. Losses to top of halo, which has then been filed down, re-shaped, and re-carved to appear whole. Chipping to fingers of proper right hand, knees, legs, nose, and peripheries. Expected nicks and abrasions in some areas, as commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive preservation of detail.
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