GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Details

A GREY SCHIST FIGURE OF PADMAPANI
GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY
Seated on a lotiform base, the head with wavy locks topped with an elaborate headdress and backed by a nimbus, wearing multiple necklaces and a robe draped over his left shoulder, his right arm raised, possibly in abhayamudra now lacking, his left hand holding the curved stem of a lotus bud
20in. (50.8cm.) high

Provenance

Acquired in Peshawar, Pakistan in 1958 and exported to the UK later that year

Lot Essay

Padmapani, the lotus holder, is a bodhisattva representing the limitless compassion of the Buddha. This figure follows the cannon of representation of Padmapani. He is depicted in a princely manner, sitting in the royal ease posture on a lotiform base, richly adorned with heavy jewellery and with his hair neatly arranged in a generous double volute chignon held high with stringed pearls and jewels above a gem-set headband.
Approximately of the same size and attributed to Takht-i-bahi another figure of Padmapani sharing the same attributes and posture and of similar size is in the British Museum (OA1950.7-26.1; W. Zwalf, ‘A Catalogue of the Gandhara Sculpture in the British Museum’, London, 1996, vol. I, pp.93-94, cat. 40., vol II, pl.40).

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