Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A magnificent hand carved stone carving of Buddha seared in full lotus position upon a pedestal. He tranquilly raises his hands before his chest in the dharma-chakra mudra gesture that symbolizes "turning of the wheel of the doctrine" and sermon explaining the four Noble Truths and the path to enlightenment. Kasaya robes drape across his left shoulder and gather in natural folds around his ankles. The pedestal is decorated with carved motifs that give the semblance of corner pilasters supporting a cloth cushion. His restored face has a meditative expression, and his coiffure consists of the characteristic waves or curls with a topknot ushnisha in the center- all backed by a round nimbus or halo. The Gandharan region was the control of Alexander the Great during his conquests in the 4th century BC, and art in this region was heavily influenced by Greco-Roman styles. Size: 11.75" L x 4.5" W x 20.75" H (29.8 cm x 11.4 cm x 52.7 cm); 21.5" H (54.6 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 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 Buddha exemplifies. For example, the wavy tresses of hair of this sculpture and others from the same tradition were likely influenced by the Belvedere Apollo (ca. 330 BCE).

For a similar example please see the Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture website, object number: B60S393.

Provenance: private Tallahassee, Florida, USA collection; ex-Bernice Longazel collection, purchased in Afghanistan in 1961

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.

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.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#170523

Restoration and repaired. Face restored with new material. Stable break line vertically through center of figure and visible on frontside and verso. Losses to hands and halo as shown. Chips and nicks to high pointed areas and softening to finer details. Earthen and mineral deposits on surface.