Huge Gandharan Schist Bust of Buddha as Siddhartha

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Ancient | Asian | Ethno | Native American Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 1, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-06-01 10:00:00 2023-06-01 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient | Asian | Ethno | Native American Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-asian-ethno-native-american-art-12905
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• Lot Description
  Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 1st century CE. An absolutely stunning gray schist bust of Buddha as the Indian Prince Siddhartha, heavily adorned in a bejeweled headdress, layered necklaces, and lion's head earrings, all rendered at a monumental scale. His face is sensuously and realistically carved, with gently arched brows, large, almond-shaped eyes cast downward, a narrow nose, a symmetrical brow ridge, and a handlebar moustache atop thin, closed lips. Half of his thick coiffure is piled neatly atop his head in an ushnisha, while the other half cascades down to his shoulders in lush waves. Buddha was born to royal parents of the Shakya clan, but renounced his home life and the ephemeral pleasures of the material world in order to live as a wandering ascetic. This example depicts Buddha before he cast off earthly pleasures, as a young man opulently dressed. Size: 13" W x 18" H (33 cm x 45.7 cm); 25" H (63.5 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 is some of the most striking Buddhist images from the past. This 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. The curly hair of this sculpture and others from the same tradition were likely influenced by the Belvedere Apollo (ca. 330 BCE).
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  This item is heavy/oversized and will require 3rd party shipping. Please inquire about shipping cost prior to bidding.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #177462

  Condition

  Fragment of a larger piece. Chipping with some loss to nose, forehead, and shoulders. Some light surface wear as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive preservation of detail.
• Shipping Info

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