Pakistan and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 200 BCE to 400 CE. A remarkable grey-green schist concave/convex disc with a low relief carving of a hippocampus on its concave side. The hippocampus sits with tail and forelegs curled under itself atop a thin pedestal supported by an equally thin column. A slightly raised border infilled with incised diagonal lines separates the central motif from the edge of the disc. Comes with custom stand. Size: 5.5" W (14 cm); height on stand: 7.2" (18.3 cm).

The hippocampus was a mythological animal with the upper body of a horse and the lower body of a fish that originated in Phoenicia and Greece approximately 2500 years ago. The motif traveled along the Silk Road, alongside centaurs, acanthus leaves, and other Classical elements. It may also have come with Alexander the Great, who conquered the region in the mid-4th century BCE. Despite its Hellenistic subject, this disc - probably made to serve as temple decoration - was part of an explicitly Buddhist blended artistic tradition unique to Gandhara.

Provenance: Ex-private east coast, USA collection

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#120781

Losses to edges as shown. Central motif is intact, with slight surface wear and very clear details.