3rd Century Indian Red Sandstone Elephant Carving

Presenting a stunning piece of Indian antiquity from the 10th century, namely, a Varaha red sandstone central India carving. From Central India. This piece has impeccable Provenance! It was purchased by a Private Dallas collector at Sotheby’s New York Auction on 24th September 2004. Sale Number 8008, Lot No. 28. Sotheby’s operate a twice yearly auction of Southeast Asian Art & Antiquities in New York in the months of March and September. The sculpture was described as: "Carved in relief with Vishnu in his boar incarnation stepping forward from the ocean, his left foot placed upon a lotus, two nagas beneath with their hands clasped in devotion. Vishnu’s primary right hand rests on his thigh in katihasta mudra while his remaining hands carry his attributes of mace, conch and discus. A diminutive figure of the earth Goddess, Bhudevi, whom Vishnu has rescued from the primeval waters, is balanced on his left elbow. The figure is bejeweled, wearing a broad, beaded waistband and necklaces and is placed within a niche between two pillars. Measure: Height 27 in. (68.6 cm.), circa 10th century. Provenance: Sotheby’s New York, March 21 & 22, 1990, Lot 253 Catalogue Note: This zoomorphic representation of Vishnu gained popular currency during the medieval period and was widely depicted in Central Indian Temple sculpture...

Presenting a stunning piece of Indian antiquity from the 10th century, namely, a temple bracket buff sandstone central India carving. From Central In...

Presenting a stunning piece of Indian antiquity from the 11th century, namely, a 11C Ambika Buff Sandstone Western India carving. From Western India. ...

Presenting a lovely 20c medium Chinese soapstone carving. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a medium/tall gre...

Stucco head of a Bodhisattva, Gandhara, 3rd - 5th century AD. Mounted on a custom made brass base. 12 inches high ( head alone 8.2 in ) 5.5 wide 5 deep Provanance: Ex Sotheby's, old...

500-600 Year old sandstone carving. The sculpture is depicting 'Two demons riding an elephant at the pagoda'. From Buddha pagoda / temple in Arakan, Burma. Naive and charming in its design. With a beautiful patina. Mounted on light sandstone plinth...

A large and impressive Indian carved sandstone architectural frieze featuring a central image of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi flanked by two atten...

A striking Gandharan molded stucco head of a male Bodhisattva, tentatively identified as Manjushri, ancient region of Gandhara, probably Hadda or surrounding area, 3rd-5th century. The Bodhisattva is sculpted of stucco in an idealized manner as a youthful male, with soft and kind features, a benign expression on his face. He wears an elaborate pleated turban wrapped around his head, with two sweeping lobes at the front. His turban secured on one side by a small image of a roaring lion. The lion may be read as a reference to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who is often depicted as riding or subduing a roaring lion, a metaphor for taming the wild thoughts of the mind. Manjushri gazes outwards in a beatific manner from almond shaped eyes, a gentle smile on his lips. The eyes at different levels when looking at the sculpture head on, indicating the original placement of the head was meant to be viewed at an angle. Remnants of pigments to the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Mounted on a custom black metal stand. Hadda was an important center of Buddhist learning in the early history of Greco Buddhist Gandhara, and at one time may have housed a bone relic of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. The sculpture and architecture of Hadda followed Hellenistic artistic conventions faithfully, leading some scholars to believe the distinct Greco Buddhist style of Gandhara was first developed in Hadda before spreading to the rest of the region. The kingdom of Gandhara was situated at a crossroads of trade and cultures. Being one of the last remnants of Alexander the Great's Empire, the inhabitants of the Greco-Bactrian Buddhist kingdom preserved Greek culture and heritage for centuries after the decline of the Greek Empire...