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Large Gandharan Standing Buddha Torso, Carved Gray Schist, 2nd-3rd Century
About
A large and powerfully carved gray schist Gandharan standing Buddha featuring wonderful drapery, ancient region of Gandhara, circa 2nd - 3rd century. Although missing his head and gesturing hand, this figure can still be identified as the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni.
A masterpiece of Gandharan freestanding sculpture, the finely carved schist Buddha is portrayed standing upon an integral lotus pedestal. The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is dressed in monastic robes after the Hellenic fashion, wearing a pleated chiton under a generous himation wrapped fully around the body and covering both shoulders.
The heavy and voluminous fabric of his robe drapes beautifully against his robust figure. His broad chest and the curve of his belly are clearly visible under the naturalistic falling folds.
In his left hand, the Buddha gently grasps the trailing hem of his long cloak. His right hand, now lost, would originally have been raised in abhaya mudra, the gesture of reassurance and dispelling fear.
The Buddha stands in contrapposto upon pedestal carved with stylized lotus blossoms, the left knee slightly bent, his weight resting upon his right foot. His stance giving both a sense of movement and relaxation, and conveying the idea of the calm and peaceful nature of the mind, as preached by the Buddha.
The the pose and clothing of the Buddha are taken directly from Hellenistic and Greco Roman art, indicative of the strong ties and flow of art and culture between Gandhara and the West.
Gandhara was a powerful and wealthy Central Asian region located between modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan. As one of the last remnants of Alexander the Great's empire, Hellenistic and Greco Roman culture mixed freely with the indigenous culture, creating the Greco-Bactrian kingdom in which Buddhism thrived. The Greco-Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara was among the first to create images of the Buddha, over 400 years after his death, blending Western and Asian aesthetics to produce some of the most beautiful Buddhist art ever made.
Mounted into a modern black pedestal base (14" x 9" x 4.5").
Height excluding base: 37.5"
Provenance: From a private East Coast collection.
Details
- Of the PeriodGreco Roman
- Place of OriginPakistan
- Date of Manufacturecirca 2nd-3rd Century
- Period
- Materials and TechniquesHand-CarvedSchist
- Condition
- Condition DetailsMissing the head and the right hand. Slight losses to the outer edges of the robe under the missing right hand. Also with some loss to the lotus pedestal. The back unfinished.
- WearWear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- DimensionsH 42 in. x W 16 in. x D 9 in.H 106.68 cm x W 40.64 cm x D 22.86 cm
- Seller LocationAustin, TX
- Reference NumberLU894713847901
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About the Seller
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Located in Austin, TX
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