A GREY SCHIST FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, KUSHAN PERIOD, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Auction Closed

September 22, 07:46 PM GMT

Estimate

50,000 - 70,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

PROPERTY OF A LADY

A GREY SCHIST FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI

ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, KUSHAN PERIOD, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Height 19 in. (48.2 cm)

the Buddha seated in dhyanasana on a throne of kusha grass, with wavy hair pulled back and tied around the ushnisha, the face in meditative repose, the drapery falling in a u-shape across the broad shoulders, a triparte debate in the base of the throne flanked on either side by devotees

German Private Collection, 1960s

Sotheby's New York, March 24, 2010, lot 4

Private American Collection

The present sculpture shows the Buddha in an expressly frontal pose gazing directly out in meditation. Although the face bears a serene expression, the square shoulders over the symmetrical arms and knees supported by a rectangular base displays an intentional formality. The overall patterning too shows a deliberateness with the geometrical folds of the robes, the even waves of the hair and the uniform hatch marks of the kusha grass. In effect, the consistency of tone and methodical arrangement of the Buddha seated on his throne presents him with a resolute steadiness and self-possessed strength.

For a closely related example, showing similarities particularly in the folds and overall composition, see W. Zwalf, Gandharan Sculpture, Vol. II, cat. no. 31.