GANDHARA, 6TH CENTURY

This rare and important bronze dates from the late Gandharan phase and displays unique characteristics that influenced and defined evolving contemporary styles in Swat Valley and Kashmir. The hair is arranged in incised rows of u-shaped curls, echoing the u-shaped pattern of the cloth folds across the chest. This hairstyle is present in a handful of known Gandharan bronzes of standing figures of Buddha, notably from the Neil Kreitman and Muneichi Nitta Collections, the latter now at the Metropolitan Museum, see U. von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, 1981, p. 64, pl. 5, and p. 81, cat. no. 4G, both dateable to the ninth century. The facial features - slanted eyes inlaid in silver, high cheekbones, and full lips - closely relate to a figure of a standing Padmapani displaying Gupta style elements, formerly in the Pan-Asian Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 23 March 1999, lot 22 and illustrated by P. Pal, Bronzes of Kashmir, cat. no. 82. Overall, it most closely relates to the figure of Buddha from the Eilenberg collection, with very similar linear and spacial treatment of the lotus petals incised on the base, along with the unique hairstyle, see M. Lerner and S. Kossak, The Lotus Transcendent, 1991, p. 118, cat. no. 88. The latter is cautiously dated by Martin Lerner as 8th century or earlier, also relating the linear treatment to Central Asian cave painting. It would appear that the present example predates the Eilenberg bronze as well as the other examples. There is harmonious symmetry to the figure, with an emphasis on form and restraint in the clustered treatment of the drapery folds. The alloy is of very high copper content, possibly supporting an Indian origin, as opposed to the deeper colored alloys from the Swat region. The back of the figure contains a round opening with cover, likely for consecration.