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GANDHARA SCHIST STONE FIGURE OF BUDDHA ON EAGLE
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Description
100-300 AD. Gandharan. Schist figure of Buddha atop an eagle. Buddha, backed by an intricately-incised halo, sits cross-legged with his hands arranged in the Varada Mudra. This gesture comprises a raised right hand with the palm facing outwards and the fingers upwards, while the left arm is held next to the body and it stands for the stage of the Buddha’s life immediately after achieving enlightenment. Buddha is regally decked out in an elaborate robe and jewellery, adding to the impression of majesty created by riding on an eagle. The eagle stands with wings spread, as if it about to take flight. In Buddhist mythology, eagles are identified with the Garuda, a race of benevolent birds noted for their wisdom. Gandhara was an ancient region in the Peshawar basin in the north-west of the ancient Indian subcontinent. The Kushan period (c. 75-451 AD) of Gandharan art, to which this figure belongs, was the golden age of artistic production in the area. For further discussion on Gandharan art, see Jongeward, D. 2019, Buddhist Art Of Gandhara in the Ashmolean Museum. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Good condition. Size: L:325mm / W:165mm ; 3.7kg. Provenance: Private Kent collection, formed in the 1980-90s on the UK art market.
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100-300 AD. Gandharan. Schist figure of Buddha atop an eagle. Buddha, backed by an intricately-incised halo, sits cross-legged with his hands arranged in the Varada Mudra. This gesture comprises a raised right hand with the palm facing outwards and the fingers upwards, while the left arm is held next to the body and it stands for the stage of the Buddha’s life immediately after achieving enlightenment. Buddha is regally decked out in an elaborate robe and jewellery, adding to the impression of majesty created by riding on an eagle. The eagle stands with wings spread, as if it about to take flight. In Buddhist mythology, eagles are identified with the Garuda, a race of benevolent birds noted for their wisdom. Gandhara was an ancient region in the Peshawar basin in the north-west of the ancient Indian subcontinent. The Kushan period (c. 75-451 AD) of Gandharan art, to which this figure belongs, was the golden age of artistic production in the area. For further discussion on Gandharan art, see Jongeward, D. 2019, Buddhist Art Of Gandhara in the Ashmolean Museum. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Good condition. Size: L:325mm / W:165mm ; 3.7kg. Provenance: Private Kent collection, formed in the 1980-90s on the UK art market.
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This sale takes you on a 5000-year old journey from Ancient Mesopotamia to Ming dynasty China. Featuring Antiquities and Ancient works of art from China, India, the Holy Lands, Western and Southeast Asia. The section includes a great variety of artifacts in terracotta, stucco, bronze and stone- some fascinating Gandhara sculptures depicting Buddha and various scenes, collection of TL-tested Chinese terracotta figurines and vessels. The auction also includes various objects from western Asia and the Holy Lands- rare pots from Persia, Indus Valley Idols, Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets and many others. The Auction features some masterpieces of Chinese art including large stone figures and fully authenticated Chinese bronze vessels. A one a kind auction reflecting the splendor of Asian art throughout the ages! We are members of the BNTA (British Numismatic Trading Association) and the ALR (Art Loss Register). WE ACCEPT DIRECT PAYMENTS IN ALL MAJOR CURRENCIES: USD, GBP AND EUR.
