Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A finely-preserved sculpture of a seated male prince, skillfully-rendered in high relief from pale-grey schist. The masculine figure sits atop an integral seat with one leg extended, wears pleated pants and a flowing robe over his shirtless torso, and displays a triangular necklace overtop an ornamented chain draped over one shoulder. The regal head is tilted slightly to the right and boasts almond-shaped eyes, a slender nose above full lips, rounded cheeks, and tall ears, all beneath an elaborate crown bedecked in flowers and presented in front of a fragment of a full circular corona. Size: 7.5" W x 14" H (19 cm x 35.6 cm).
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; ex-Mazard Family collection, France & New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s
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#146244
Condition
This is a fragment of a larger relief sculpture. Losses to areas of legs, body, face, corona, and peripheries as shown. Chips and abrasions to obverse, reverse, and peripheries, with softening to some finer details particularly on the face, and light encrustations within some recessed areas. Nice earthen deposits throughout.