Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 200 BCE to 400 CE. A grey schist panel carved in the naturalistic Gandharan style, depicting three figures, one a seated man dressed in finery; the other appears to be a young man or child attending to him, wearing a tunic. A third man peeks down on the scene from the upper left. A large column, a pediment, and hanging floral decoration frame the first two figures, while the third appears to be excluded from the place where they interact. 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 the Mediterranean in the West; a great deal of this wealth went into local patronage of artisans and art. Their artistic tradition reflects the conquest of Alexander the Great and the introduction of styles from all sides, blended into a uniquely Gandharan tradition. Size: 3.2" W x 8.5" H (8.1 cm x 21.6 cm); 9.75" H (24.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137732

Piece is a fragment as shown, with some losses to the figures. The head of the older man is very nicely preserved, with strong details remaining.