A GRAY SCHIST STUPA PEG IN THE FORM OF AN ELEPHANT, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA

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Description

A GRAY SCHIST STUPA PEG IN THE FORM OF AN ELEPHANT, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA Kushan period, 2nd-3rd century. The architectural element carved in the form of an elephant leaping forward, its head well detailed with large ears, almond-shaped eyes, short tusks, and a wide trunk raised to its forehead and grasping a five-petaled blossom. Provenance: Jean Delacroix, Chatou, France, 1971. The private collection of Mr. and Mrs. X, Brussels, Belgium, acquired from the above and thence by descent. Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris, 6 March 2018, lot 53. A copy of a provenance statement, written and signed by Jean Delacroix, dated 10 May 1971, confirming the above, accompanies this lot. This statement mentions a sales price of 12,500 FFR, which is equivalent to c. 11,000 EUR today, after inflation and conversion. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, losses, encrustations, signs of weathering and erosion, minor nicks, all as expected. Weight: 6,806 g Dimensions: Length 30 cm Literature comparison: The use of similar pegs on stupas to hold up garlands is well attested on representations of stupas at Chatpat; for a further discussion and another example of an elephant peg, see C. Luczanits, The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan: Art of Gandhara, 2011, p. 73. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 11 September 2012, lot 104 Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 12,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Gandharan schist architectural element with an elephant, 2nd/3rd century Expert remark: Compare the related subject and manner of carving.

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A GRAY SCHIST STUPA PEG IN THE FORM OF AN ELEPHANT, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA Kushan period, 2nd-3rd century. The architectural element carved in the form of an elephant leaping forward, its head well detailed with large ears, almond-shaped eyes, short tusks, and a wide trunk raised to its forehead and grasping a five-petaled blossom. Provenance: Jean Delacroix, Chatou, France, 1971. The private collection of Mr. and Mrs. X, Brussels, Belgium, acquired from the above and thence by descent. Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris, 6 March 2018, lot 53. A copy of a provenance statement, written and signed by Jean Delacroix, dated 10 May 1971, confirming the above, accompanies this lot. This statement mentions a sales price of 12,500 FFR, which is equivalent to c. 11,000 EUR today, after inflation and conversion. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, losses, encrustations, signs of weathering and erosion, minor nicks, all as expected. Weight: 6,806 g Dimensions: Length 30 cm Literature comparison: The use of similar pegs on stupas to hold up garlands is well attested on representations of stupas at Chatpat; for a further discussion and another example of an elephant peg, see C. Luczanits, The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan: Art of Gandhara, 2011, p. 73. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 11 September 2012, lot 104 Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 12,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Gandharan schist architectural element with an elephant, 2nd/3rd century Expert remark: Compare the related subject and manner of carving.

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A GRAY SCHIST BUST OF BUDDHA, GANDHARA, 1ST - 5TH CENTURY AD OR LATER A GRAY SCHIST BUST OF BUDDHA, GANDHARA, 1ST - 5TH CENTURY AD OR LATER Ancient region of Gandhara, 1 st- 5 th century AD or later. Well carved, the ovoid face with almond-shaped eyes below elegantly arched brows centered by an urna, and full bow-shaped lips forming a subtle smile, all flanked by long pendulous earlobes, the wavy hair piled up into a high topknot, all backed by a nimbus. Provenance: Indian collection, acquired in the 50s and 60s. German collection acquired in 2020. Condition: Good condition with wear, losses, small nicks, erosion, and structural cracks. Weight: 28.5 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions: 54 cm (incl. stand), 43 cm (excl. stand) Mounted on a stand. (2) The loose waves of hair along with the almond-shaped eyes and narrow nose are inspired by images of the youthful Apollo from the Greco-Roman tradition. While the harmonious proportions are inspired by Classical styles, they have been applied to the most popular subject of cult images represented during this time in the region of Gandhara. The heart of Gandhara located in the Peshawar region in modern-day Pakistan, the place where this Buddha head was fashioned, served as the crossroads between the East and West, blending the local Indic Buddhist practices with the Hellenistic styles that traveled along these trade routes. Literature comparison: Compare a related bust of Buddha, 4 th century AD, in the collection of the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur, India. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related Gandhara gray schist stone bust of Buddha Sakyamuni, 3 rd century, 52 cm, at Christie’s Amsterdam, 12 October 2004, lot 27 ( sold for EUR 19,120).