An important gray schist figure of Buddha

GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Details

An important gray schist figure of Buddha
Gandhara, 2nd/3rd century
Seated in dhyanasana on a low throne with his hands in dharmachakramudra, clad in a sanghati carved in thick folds, the face with aquiline nose and almond-shaped eyes, the wavy locks of hair pulled over the ushnisha and secured with a headband, backed by a nimbus, seated on a throne supported by lions with the base centered by an image of the Buddha flanked by two attendants in adoration
27½ in. (69.9 cm.) high

Provenance

Collection of Rafi Y. Mottahedeh
Acquired from Christie's New York, 30 November 1984, lot 601

Lot Essay

The sculptor has skillfully carved the folds of the sanghati to convey the weight of the heavy, possibly silken material; see below the knees and where it spills over the lion throne, even as the Buddha has tucked up his robes to position his feet in the asana. The throne is also far more elaborate than a simple seat - the Buddha sits on a fine cushion edged with embroidery, placed over a throne supported by lions possibly holding garlands in their mouths; see H. Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, 1957, fig. 248 for a Buddha seated on a similarly carved cushion and lion throne. Coupled with the didactic scene at center, this is an image of the Buddha as a regal teacher instead of a simple monk.

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