A Rare and Large Gray Schist Frieze

GANDHARA OR CENTRAL ASIA, CIRCA 4TH CENTURY

Details

A Rare and Large Gray Schist Frieze
Gandhara or Central Asia, circa 4th Century
Boldly carved in relief with five figures in a horizontal recessed panel, each with bound hands, wearing long robes with daggers inserted into belts at the waist, their hair arranged in strands of thick locks and the woman at right with her head covered, their feet in profile with pointed shoes, the stone with natural marble striations running horizontally
60 in. (152.4 cm) wide

Provenance

Private English Collection, before 1930
Pan-Asian Collection

Exhibited

Formerly on loan to the Denver Art Museum

Lot Essay

This highly unusual frieze appears to display various influences from Central Asia during the final phase of Gandharan art, with the style of the tunics, boots and hair, while the stone with marble veining is indicative of the Northwestern Territories; compare with J. Rosenfield, The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans, 1967, figs. 31 and 34.

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