Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A striking torso of a princely figure, perhaps on the verge of becoming a bodhisattva, skillfully-rendered from pale-grey schist. The masculine figure stands upright with a regal presentation defined by broad, muscular shoulders and rounded pectorals while holding the trails of his flowing garment. His left-turned head gazes gently with downturned eyes and elongated corners, a ridged brow line tapering inward to form the aquiline nose, wavy lips with an upper philtrum, and puffy cheeks, all with an incredibly smooth texture. A massive link necklace falls to the center of his chest, with the wavy tresses of his coiffure secured with a beaded fillet, and a hemispherical ushnisha atop his head. An elegant and opulent example of fine Gandharan sculpture! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 8.75" W x 12.5" H (22.2 cm x 31.8 cm); 16.625" H (42.2 cm) on included custom stand.
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 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 prince exemplifies.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#141782
Condition
This is a fragment from a larger sculpture. Original right arm and lower half of body missing. Small nicks and minor abrasions to lower body, chest, and head, with light softening to some finer details, and light encrustations within some recessed areas. Nice earthen deposits throughout.