Lot 55
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Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Northern India, Gandhara / Kushan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. An exceptional schist sculpture of the Bodhisattva Maitreya dressed like an Indian Prince, heavily adorned in noble finery: bejeweled turban headdress, layered necklaces, earrings, and layers of cascading robes. Resting in his lap, his hands express the dhyana or meditation mudra. Maitreya is considered the Buddha of the future - when the dharma is forgotten on Earth, he will descend from the Tushita Heaven to be born in our realm as the next Buddha. When he is born on Earth, Maitreya will be of brahmin stock. He is dressed, therefore, in the rich garb similar to that of the historical Buddha, prior to his renunciation of worldly life. He is robed in a dhoti with a heavier sanghati draped over the shoulders, open at the front to expose his muscular chest. This naturalistic attention to drapery is characteristic of the Greco-Roman influence seen in the Gandharan period. Size: 12.5" L x 3.9" W x 20.1" H (31.8 cm x 9.9 cm x 51.1 cm)
His shrouded legs appear to be positioned in dhyanasana atop a cushioned throne that is adorned at the front with the relief image of 4 attendants at a shrine and on each side with a lotus flower.
In the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, in the first centuries CE in northern India, Maitreya was the most popular figure to be represented along with Gautama Buddha. Numerous sculptures of Maitreya have been found in Greater Gandhara from the Kushan Empire period (30-375 CE). He also appears in Mathura to a lesser extent.
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!
Provenance: private London, UK collection; ex-private collection of a London gentleman, acquired in France in the early 2000s; ex-European collection, 1970s
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#188450
- Condition: Some minor chipping, as well as age-commensurate nicks and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive remaining detail. Earthen encrustations in areas.
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|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |