NORTHEASTERN INDIA, CIRCA 12TH CENTURY

Details

A Yellow Silt Stone Stele of Buddha Shakyamuni
Northeastern India, circa 12th Century
The main figure carved in deep relief seated on a double lotus base in dhyanasana with his hands in bhumisparsa mudra wearing an ornate foliate necklace and peaked crown, surrounded by seven smaller scenes of events in the life of the historical Buddha interspersed with stupas and apsaras, the lotus base supported by lions and donor figures bearing inscriptions in Devanagari, the faces with remains of polychrome and the reverse inscribed Ohm and incised with stupas and Tibetan syllables
8 7/8 in. (22.3 cm.) high

Lot Essay

The distinct crown relating to bronzes found at Kurkihar monastery and the Sanskrit inscription at the lower rim point to a Northeastern Indian attribution, rather than Tibet. The known examples of Pala period 'yellow stone' carvings, a highly prized phyllite stone, are variably attributed to Northeastern India, Burma and Tibet, but the regional attribution is often debated. Placed within portable shrines, Pala stone sculptures of this type moved between regions and were of great significance for the dissemination of style.

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