Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 200 BCE to 100 CE. A lovely cosmetic dish, hand-carved with the image of 2 figures in high relief surrounded by a lotus flower-like background decoration and enveloped by a geometric pattern border. The figures are a male and a female confronting one another with the male on the left wearing a long robe with a belt and a turban as he reaches toward the woman with his right hand. Alternatively, the woman is dressed in an elaborate outfit with a scale-like design, as well as a low-hanging necklace. A lattice motif decorates the area between them. The convex verso or base presents a central lotus flower surrounded by a striated border. Size: 3.6" in diameter x 0.3" H (9.1 cm x 0.8 cm)
The Gandharan Empire made itself wealthy in part by controlling lucrative trade along the mountain passes between China, the Near East, and the 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 includes 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.
Provenance: ex-private California, USA collection, imported into the US before 2000
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#167263
Condition
Expected nicks and abrasions throughout, along with some light softening of detail to figures' faces, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with rich earthen deposits throughout.