CLASSICAL INDIAN ART | LIVE AUCTION, MUMBAI (09 MARCH 2017)

118-119 / 176

118 119
56
HEAD OF BUDDHA
GANDHARA, 3 RD ‒ 4TH CENTURY
Stucco
9 in (23.4 cm) high
Rs 6,00,000 - 8,00,000
$ 8,960 - 11,945
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
PROVENANCE
The Rumi Mistry Collection, Mumbai
cient region of Gandhara straddled
yber Pass, in what came to be known
North West Frontier Province during
itish Raj, and is now known as the
r Pakhtunkhwa. As a true geographic
ads between India, China, the Middle
nd the Mediterranean, the region
ed under the Kushan dynasties from
through the 8th centuries as a trade
ltural hub. It was here that figurative
ist sculpture first emerged around
t century. Much of Kushan‒period
aran sculpture consisted of works
uddhist themes, including images of
ddha and Boddhisatvas.
o be from the Hadda region in what is
fghanistan, the present lot, with finely
ted almond‒shaped eyes and full lips,
elled in stucco rather than carved
tone. The use of stucco became more
r andwas perfected in later Gandharan
hich shows the culmination of the
tradition.
Palace scenes and vignettes from the Jataka
Tales were a popular theme in Gandharan
sculpture. This grey schist door jamb is
carved in high relief. Two figures are shown
in each frame with laurel leaves forming the
decorative vertical edge of the composition.
Each of the figures has hairstyles and clothing
that is typical of the Gandharan style. The
central vignette shows two musicians.
55
DOOR JAMB WITH DEVOTEES
GANDHARA, 2 ND ‒ 3RD CENTURY
Grey Schist
15.75 in (40.4 cm) high
Rs 5,00,000 - 7,00,000
$ 7,465 - 10,450
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
PROVENANCE
The Rumi Mistry Collection, Mumbai