ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY CE

Atlantyds are ostensibly Atlas figures from the Greek Hellenistic tradition. The muscular physiognomy and crouching position of the present figures are derived from depictions of yakshas, or guardian deities, who appear in the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions. The present lot demonstrates the strong influence of both Greek and Indian traditions in Gandharan art. For a related example, see a panel with two atlantyd figures in the British Museum collection (acc. no. 1914.5-2.2) illustrated by W. Zwalf in A Catalogue of the Gandhara Sculpture in the British Museum, vol. II, London, p. 216, fig. no. 377.