A gray schist head of a Bodhisattva

GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Details

A gray schist head of a Bodhisattva
Gandhara, 2nd/3rd century
The gently rounded face with moustache, wide eyes and incised urna, the hair in thick curly locks pulled into a topknot
10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm.) high

Provenance

Isao Kurita Collection, Japan, acquired 1983-85

Literature

I. Kurita, Gandharan Art II: The World of the Buddha, 2003, p. 41, no. 98

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Lot Essay

Mahishasura, a pious devotee to Brahma, was rewarded with a boon that no man or god would be able to conquer him. Thus invincible, he battled the gods and took over the heavens. Helpless against Brahma's boon, the gods appealed to the goddess Parvati, who agreed to harness the shakti of all female celestial beings to fight Mahishasura. She assumed the form of Durga and each god offered her a weapon - Shiva gave his trident, Vishnu gave his chakra, and Vayu donated his bow and arrow. After nine days of fighting, Durga vanquished Mahishasura and his army and restored the heavens to the gods.

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