REGION DU GANDHARA, IIEME-IIIEME SIECLE

With the growing popularity of Mahayana Buddhism around the 2nd century in Gandharan art, large detached images were sculptured alongside narrative friezes. The present lot is a superbly executed example of a Bodhisattva characteristic for the high point of that development and among the best of refinement in carving. The sculptors of Gandhara were highly skilled craftsmen who created Buddhist images that often show strong Hellenistic influence. Also the present figure is remarkable for many details of its carving and decoration. This can be seen in the elaborate and complex treatment of the drapery, the complex array of necklaces, the sensitively modeled facial features and the delicately carved tresses of the hair. Two closely related and nearly intact examples of large grey schist figures of Maitreya with similar treatment of the drapery and loosely bound topknot were sold in our New York Rooms, 17 September 2003, lot 11 and 16 September 2008, lot 334.