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Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Northern India, Gandhara / Kushan Empire, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A rare and quite sizable gray schist sculpture of a male donor draped in robes and carrying a container, presumably as an offering to a Buddha represented in a larger composition of which this figure once formed a part. Holding some prized commodity, like the aromatics Gandhara was famous for or perhaps a relic or shrine, the container is cradled before his chest. The care with which he supports it with both hands denotes the preciousness of its contents. The greater the expense of the donation, the more merit would be generated. A thick collar necklace adorns his clavicle as layers of bangles ornament his wrists, establishing his status as a wealthy lay devotee. Donor figures, like this example, frequently accompany Buddha images in Gandharan friezes and sculptural ensembles. Size: 14" W x 28.9" H (35.6 cm x 73.4 cm); 37" H (94 cm) on included custom stand.

Gandharan sculpture became famous for the blend of Greco-Roman realism and Buddhist symbolism that is captured by this figure. A unique Indo-Greek culture arose after Alexander the Great's conquest of Central Asia during the 3rd century BCE, and Hellenistic art continued to strongly influence the region and was sustained by the syncretic Kushan Empire well into the 4th century!

A Gandharan schist donor figure of a more petite scale (21 inches) and in a similar condition hammered $12,750 at Bonhams New York on September 23rd, 2021 as lot 1209 ("Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art"). Another donor figure of slightly larger scale (31 inches) hammered $25,000 at Christie's New York as lot 267 on September 20th, 2007 ("Gandharan Buddhist Art from the Collection of a Prince," Live Auction 1953).

Provenance: private Pasadena, California, USA collection; ex-private estate collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, formed between 1970 and 2000

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#180939

Missing head, part of right arm, feet and base. Nicks, chips, and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age. Some areas of stable fissures to stone. Otherwise, nice presentation with good remaining detail and rich earthen deposits. Permanently adhered to stand with adhesive visible on verso.