Page 80 - South East Asian Art, December 4th 2020 Galerie Zacke Galerie Zacke

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AN eXTReMely RARe gANdhARAN gOld dIAdeM
dePIcTINg buddhA deFyINg MARA
Gandhara, c. 2nd century. The diadem of triangular form, with fine repoussé
depicting Buddha in the center, wearing a long-flowing robe with accentuated
folds, the face with a calm yet strong expression, the hair surmounted by an
ushnisha, a halo behind him, seated in dhyanasana on a rectangular throne
with demons falling to hell below and showing the bhumisparsa mudra, flanked
by the Hindu gods Brahma and Indra, surrounded by followers and soldiers, all
witnessing his enlightenment and subsequent victory over the demonic celestial
king Mara. 20 small separately crafted gold repoussé representations of Buddha
meditating, seated in dhyanasana and showing the dhyana mudra, hang from the
diadem, attached with gold wire.

Likely this diadem was gifted to a Cham king by an Indian trader, Brahmin
scholar, or possibly even a king, as part of the Indianization of Southeast Asia.
Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum.
Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.
condition: Good condition with expected traces of age and wear, bending, and
soil encrustations.
Weight: 57.5 g
Dimensions: Size 12.6 x 30 cm
Published: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, pages 84 and
86/87, Budapest 2013. Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the
Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 2, no. 94 (page 130), Budapest 2008. Art of
Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 72, Issue 4, 2020.

estimate euR 30,000
Starting price EUr 15,000

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