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Lot Essay
The ancient region of Gandhara, situated along the Khyber Pass and spanning what is now eastern Afghanistan and western Pakistan, was a vital center of trade and commerce for centuries. Positioned at the crossroads of Central Asia, Gandhara was influenced by goods and cultural exchanges from India, China, and the Mediterranean world.
Gandhara's sculptural tradition, profoundly impacted by Hellenistic styles introduced after Alexander the Great's conquests, embraced principles of figural naturalism, favoring athletic, heroic idealized forms. Artisans in the region meticulously rendered Indian garments such as the dhoti and sanghati, similar to the Greek chiton and himation, allowing for the skillful depiction of voluminous, flowing drapery—a hallmark seen clearly in the present work.
This exceptional standing Buddha figure exemplifies the artistry and refined technique characteristic of Gandharan Buddhist stone sculpture at its peak. The monastic robe drapes both shoulders with significant backthrow, cascading naturally in U-shaped folds that trace the contours of the body beneath. The deeply carved garment folds, serene face, and finely detailed hair ripples highlight the sculptor's extraordinary skill.
The figure captures an idealized and transcendent male form with mastery. The heavy sanghati softly outlines the musculature of the shoulders, torso, and rounded thigh, while the bent left knee gives a sense of movement, as if the Buddha is about to step forward. This subtle gesture, combined with the robe's dynamic folds, evokes a sense of the fabric fluttering as the Buddha moves. Heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes, a smooth, unlined forehead, and a calm, rosebud mouth convey an otherworldly tranquility, embodying a perfect balance of movement and serenity.
For comparison, three contemporaneous standing Buddha figures sold at Christie’s New York exemplify Gandharan sculpture at its finest. The 'Manheim Buddha,' sold on September 12, 2012, lot 512, for $842,500, is a classic Gandharan depiction. However, its posture is more rigid, and the facial expression somewhat formulaic compared to the present figure’s masterful naturalism. The 'Kaplan Buddha,' sold on September 13, 2017, lot 603, for $792,000, presents a closer stylistic comparison though less well-preserved. Additionally, a larger standing Buddha (125 cm high), sold at Christie's New York on March 22, 2023, lot 357, achieved $693,000.
Gandhara's sculptural tradition, profoundly impacted by Hellenistic styles introduced after Alexander the Great's conquests, embraced principles of figural naturalism, favoring athletic, heroic idealized forms. Artisans in the region meticulously rendered Indian garments such as the dhoti and sanghati, similar to the Greek chiton and himation, allowing for the skillful depiction of voluminous, flowing drapery—a hallmark seen clearly in the present work.
This exceptional standing Buddha figure exemplifies the artistry and refined technique characteristic of Gandharan Buddhist stone sculpture at its peak. The monastic robe drapes both shoulders with significant backthrow, cascading naturally in U-shaped folds that trace the contours of the body beneath. The deeply carved garment folds, serene face, and finely detailed hair ripples highlight the sculptor's extraordinary skill.
The figure captures an idealized and transcendent male form with mastery. The heavy sanghati softly outlines the musculature of the shoulders, torso, and rounded thigh, while the bent left knee gives a sense of movement, as if the Buddha is about to step forward. This subtle gesture, combined with the robe's dynamic folds, evokes a sense of the fabric fluttering as the Buddha moves. Heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes, a smooth, unlined forehead, and a calm, rosebud mouth convey an otherworldly tranquility, embodying a perfect balance of movement and serenity.
For comparison, three contemporaneous standing Buddha figures sold at Christie’s New York exemplify Gandharan sculpture at its finest. The 'Manheim Buddha,' sold on September 12, 2012, lot 512, for $842,500, is a classic Gandharan depiction. However, its posture is more rigid, and the facial expression somewhat formulaic compared to the present figure’s masterful naturalism. The 'Kaplan Buddha,' sold on September 13, 2017, lot 603, for $792,000, presents a closer stylistic comparison though less well-preserved. Additionally, a larger standing Buddha (125 cm high), sold at Christie's New York on March 22, 2023, lot 357, achieved $693,000.