Central Asia, Afghanistan, Gandhara, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A deeply carved, high relief grey schist panel depicting the Greek Titan Atlas in a dynamic pose as he holds up his left arm to support the ceiling above him and places his weight on his right. The muscular deity is shown seated with his right leg folded to his side and his left knee propped up before him. He is dressed in a loin cloth and exhibits strong shoulders, powerful pectorals, and an attenuated waist. Capped by thick, luscious waves, his visage is angled upward to his left, displaying almond-shaped eyes beneath an arched brow, a bulbous nose, and a lengthy moustache above a pair of petite, closed lips. Note his magnificent wings, shown in low relieve behind him and pluming outwards - a frequent characteristic of Atlas in artistic tradition of ancient Gandhara. The wonderful deity is enveloped by a lovely zigzag border and an indecipherable mason's mark can be found on the verso of the piece. An exceptional example - rich with Classical attributes, Gandharan iconography, and artistic virtuosity! Size: 6" L x 3.125" W x 5.625" H (15.2 cm x 7.9 cm x 14.3 cm)

When the Titans were defeated, many of the Titanomachy including Menoetius were confined to Tartarus, but Atlas was sent to stand at the edge of Gaia (Earth) and hold up the Heavens on his shoulders. This was Zeus' order so that the pair would not be able to resume their primordial embrace. The Greco-Buddhist stylization of Atlas depicts him with enormous, billowing wings, which imbue him with a super-human appearance.

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 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, which this depiction of Atlas exemplifies.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex-private England, UK collection, acquired in the 1980s

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#163784

Losses to lower right corner and top of periphery. Chips to periphery. Expected light nicks and abrasions, as well as some softening of detail, all commensurate with age. Otherwise excellent with light earthen deposits in recessed areas.