A Gray Schist Relief of Dipankara

GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Details

A Gray Schist Relief of Dipankara
Gandhara, 2nd/3rd Century
Depicting Sumati bowing before the Dipankara Buddha, spreading his long hair for Buddha to cross the muddy terrain
14½ in. (36.8 cm.) wide

Provenance

Private Collection, Japan, aquired in 1990s
Private Collection, Switzerland, acquired from Christie's New York, 25 March 2004, lot 3

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Lot Essay

According to the legend, when the Dipankara Buddha announced his visit to a certain town, the king reserved all available flowers to pay him proper homage. The young ascetic Sumati was unable to buy any flowers until he met a young girl by chance who had obtained some lotuses. He acquired five from her. When he tossed the lotuses at Dipankara they remained suspended in mid air around the head of the Buddha and Sumati prostrated himself before him.

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