Important Notice

  Lot 1 of 15  

INAUGURAL SELECT ANTIQUITIES
13-14 DECEMBER 2011
Estimate
Rs 3,00,000 - 4,00,000
$6,000 - 8,000


Winning Bid
Rs 8,76,000
$17,520
(Inclusive of Buyer's Premium)

DETAILS

Head of a Bodhisattva

Schist
2nd Century

Gandhara region

Height: 7.9 in (20 cms)

This fine sculpture depicts a Bodhisattva. Bodhisattvas are wonderful beings who are on the brink of enlightenment. They defer the final step towards enlightenment so as to stay on for the benefit of mankind. This sculpture is very well chiseled out and in excellent condition with good clarity. The halo is visible behind the head. Curly locks flow down gracefully over the shoulder. The expression is pleasant and serene. The sculpture serves as a great reminder to the high standard of workmanship of the northwest region.

Gandhara

The Gandhara Style developed in the 1st Century A.D. The kingdom occupied parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan and had a fusion of Indian, Greek and Roman elements. The most widely used medium was phyllite and schist stone of various hues. The strong emergence of Mahayana Buddhism at that time resulted in the creation of spectacular sculptures depicting the life and times of the Buddha.

Bodhisattva

PROVENANCE:
From the personal collection of Late Col. Raj Kumar Tandan

Category: Antiquty