Ancient Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A finely-carved grey schist relief depicting the Buddha seated atop a lotus base while wearing a flowing robe. He is flanked by four standing devotees who extend a myriad of offerings to the benevolent figure in the middle. The lateral peripheries are shown as a pair of columns which tapering bodies leading upward to a plateaued top. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 9.5" W x 4.4" H (24.1 cm x 11.2 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on included custom stand.
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 Buddha exemplifies. Alexander the Great conquered Gandhara in 330 BCE and with the help of the Indo-Greek kings introduced classical traditions that would influence Gandharan art for the following seven centuries.
A stylistically-similar example at roughly twice the size hammered for $13,750 at Christie's, New York "The Doris Wiener Collection" auction (sale 2640, March 20, 2012, lot 3): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/a-gray-schist-relief-with-buddha-and-5538657-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5538657&sid=69156745-b18e-4945-87d8-0d94923df09a
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-private Rice, Jr. collection, New York, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s
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#144425
Condition
Repaired from two large pieces with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor nicks and abrasions to front, verso, and peripheries, with softening to some finer details. Light earthen deposits throughout.