A SMALL GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA

A SMALL GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA Kushan period, 2nd-3rd century. Well carved, the ovoid face with almond-shaped eyes below elegantly arched brows centered by a gently raised circular urna, above full bow-shaped lips forming a subtle smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes, the wavy hair piled up into a high topknot. Provenance: Bruun Rasmussen, 3 May 1978, (sold for DDK 12,000 or approx. EUR 6,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing) according to the current owner. Elli Hansen (1926-2020), Denmark, acquired from the above, and thence by descent to her son John Jessen Hansen, Denmark. One label to the base, ‘Arne Bruun Rasmussen, Kunstauktioner, København,’ which is inscribed ‘3809, 4’. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Wear, obvious losses, nicks, cracks, scratches, signs of weathering and erosion, all as expected. Weight: 3,509 g (incl. stand) Dimensions: 18.7 cm (excl. stand), 25 cm (incl. stand) With an associated modern granite 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 modernday 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 closely related head of Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, 18.4 cm tall, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 13.96.4. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 20 September 2021, lot 356 Price: USD 40,320 or approx. EUR 42,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A gray schist head of Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, 2nd/3rd century Expert remark: Compare the closely related modelling and similar melancholic expression, wavy hair, facial features, and similar size (18.1 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 24 March 2011, lot 1 Price: USD 15,000 or approx. EUR 19,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: Head of Buddha grey schist, ancient region of Gandhara, Kushan period Expert remark: Compare the closely related modelling and similar melancholic expression, wavy hair, and facial features. Note the size (16.5 cm).