Ancient Central Asia, Afghanistan, Gandhara, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A rare and remarkable portrayal of Buddha, known as Shakyamuni Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama, the crown prince of the Shakya Kingdom, expertly hand-carved from reddish brown-hued schist. As evident by his gaunt face, this depiction shows Shakyamuni during the 49 day fast which he partook in before attaining enlightenment. The ascetic figure displays an emaciated visage; his deep-set eyes are heavily bagged and held closed beneath arched brows, his cheeks are sunken, and his slender lips remain tightly pursed beneath a triangular nose and crescent moustache. A coiled top bun caps his head, his hair detailed with wavy, almost venous grooves, and the urna is shown at the center of his forehead, representing his third eye or vision into the divine world. His thin neck exhibits vividly defined muscles, as though showing through his skin, while his pointed chin and square jaw present the light shadow of a beard. Size: 5.5" W x 9.2" H (14 cm x 23.4 cm); 11" H (27.9 cm) on included custom stand.

A pair of elongated ears flank his face; a physical feature symbolic of the Buddha's time as a prince when he wore elaborate ear ornaments and from which his lobes remained stretched. The head of the Buddha is perhaps the most significant element of the deity as it represents the immense body of knowledge and wisdom of Buddha. This head of Buddha, however, is of even greater importance, as its haggard appearance relates to how he gained his enlightenment and thus achieved ultimate control over his body as a yogic ascetic. This representation of Siddhartha is considered one of the most iconic of all of the Gandharan Buddhist images.

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 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 Buddha exemplifies. The curly hair of this sculpture and others from the same tradition were likely influenced by the Belvedere Apollo (ca. 330 BCE), and the sensitive modeling of the expressive visage demonstrates a classical influence as well.

Similar schist heads of Emaciated Siddhartha have sold at Christie's New York for $284,800 as lot 21 on March 31st, 2005 (Live Auction 1492) and for $100,000 as lot 4012 on March 18th, 2015 (Live Auction 3716).

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Apollo Art Auctions, London, United Kingdom, July 23rd, 2023, lot 508; ex-collection of a London gentleman, London, United Kingdom, acquired in the early 2000's in Belgium; ex-European collection, acquired in the 1970's

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#181434

Fragment of a larger piece with some small chips, nicks, and abrasions, as shown. Otherwise, excellent presentation with nice preservation of detail. Earthen deposits and encrustations in recessed areas.