**First Time At Auction**

Central Asia, Pakistan / Afghanistan, ancient region of Gandhara, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A model of a Buddhist stupa reliquary, finely carved from grey schist in 3 sections: a cylindrical drum shaped base, a domed midsection, and capped with a finial resembling a spired pagoda - each piece fitting together via tenons and sockets. The surfaces are finely etched and deeply carved with friezes- geometric and linear motifs, and on the domed middle, lotus petals. The form of the stupa is also intended to echo the shape of the crowned Buddha sitting upon a throne, and model stupas were used by Buddhists as devotional items for storing relics or as votive offerings for shrines and temples. Note that the architecture of this miniature - especially the dentilled entablature - is very reminiscent of Greek temples! Size: 5" Diameter x 11.25" H (12.7 cm x 28.6 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 also reflects the conquest of Alexander the Great and the introduction of styles from all sides, blended into a uniquely Gandharan tradition. Alexander the Great conquered Gandhara in 330 BCE and with the help of the Indo-Greek kings introduced classical traditions that would influence Gandharan art and architecture for the following seven centuries.

For a similar example of this type, please see the Metropolitan Museum of Arts website, accession number: 1987.142.43a-c.

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Heilbrunn Timeline, "Stupas, the earliest Buddhist monuments preserved in India, began as solid hemispherical domes that marked the remains of a great leader or teacher. They were incorporated into early Buddhist art as symbols of the continuing presence of Shakyamuni Buddha after his parinirvana (final transcendence), and as reminders of the path he defined for his followers. Buddhism carried the stupa throughout Asia, where it was interpreted in many forms, including the domed chortens of Tibet and the spired pagodas of China, Korea, and Japan."

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Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003; ex-English collection, acquired 1960s.

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#177343

Finial is repaired with break line encircling midsection under a disc and doesn’t affect overall presentation. Old loss to finial discs and chips, and slightly loose in socket. Chips and nicks to mid and base sections, otherwise intact without repairs. Mineral and earthen encrustations throughout. Overall good condition.