Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 200 BCE to 400 CE. Finely carved from stone in a manner characteristic of Gandharan sculpture, a section of a statue, perhaps representing a Buddhist deity or a noble, depicting a torso beautifully clothed in flowing garments - with pleated drapery folds over the left proper shoulder and perhaps thinner, perhaps diaphanous fabric over the body beneath it. While we are only privy to the figure's torso, this body appears to be slender and possess lifelike curves, suggesting someone youthful and athletic. Size: 5.6" W x 4.125" H (14.2 cm x 10.5 cm); 7.1" H (18 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 and Buddhist themes 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 piece exemplifies.
Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, ex-New York City Gallery, ex-Liebert Family collection, acquired in the 1990s
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#157281
Condition
This is a fragment of a larger stone composition. Original forearms, lower body, and head missing as shown. Minor abrasions and nicks to obverse, peripheries, and verso. Nice preservation of obverse details.