Page 53 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art September 2013
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A red sandstone architectural panel with A terracotta figure of a gana
a yaksha Northern India, Gupta Period, circa
Northern India, Kushan period, circa 4th-6th century
2nd/3rd century Projecting beyond his frame with a big belly and
Carved with the sun disc and broad leafed petals one foot perched on the border below, wearing
of the lotus sided by a seated yaksha with a chord a buoyant expression and his hair in thick curls.
above his prominent belly and full head of hair. 8 7/8 in. (22.7 cm) high
14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm) long $2,000 - 3,000
$2,000 - 3,000
This figure may represent Kubera, the king
Provenance: of the yakshas, known as “the wealth giver”
Private Pittsburgh Collection (Dhana-da). For further discussion and examples
in Indian museums see van Alphen, Tejas: 1500
62 Years of Indian Art, New Delhi, 2007, p. 125-
A mottled red sandstone head of Shiva 9. Also compare the similar treatment of the
Central India, circa 5th/6th century face, earplug and hair to an example in the
Carved with rounded cheeks, third eye, and Metropolitan Museum of Art (1985.398.1).
interweaving matted dreadlocks surrounding
a blossom. Provenance:
4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm) high John Eskenazi Ltd, 1982
$1,000 - 1,500 Private Italian Collection, late 1970s
Provenance: 66
Private Pittsburgh Collection, documented to A terracotta figure of a fasting hermit
25 June 2001 Northern India, Gupta Period, circa
4th-6th century
63 Carved and polished displaying his attenuated
A mottled red sandstone relief with a yakshi torso and lean arms motioning to his left, his
Mathura, Kushan period, circa 2nd century bearded face with sunken cheeks, his unkempt
Framed by the abundant blossoms of the tree hair in long matted locks.
above, the yakshi clutches a branch, wearing her 7 1/2 in. (19.4 cm) high
hair in a loose chignon and richly adorned with $2,000 - 3,000
a patterned sash and various jewelry.
12 in. (30.4 cm) high Compare to a closely related example in the
$3,000 - 5,000 Metropolitan Museum of Art (1987.424.22).
Exhibited: Provenance:
Birmingham Museum, Alabama, 2010-2013 John Eskenazi Ltd, 1982
(523.2010) Private Italian Collection, late 1970s
Provenance: 67 66
Collection of Dr. Alston and Eivor Callahan, A terracotta head of a woman
Alabama, acquired from Spink and Son, India, Gupta Period, circa 5th century
London, 17 January 1986. Well-modeled with soft features, her face with
Collection of Dr. Mike and Mrs. Teresa full lips, well-defined nose, and prominent eyes
Callahan, Alabama, acquired by inheritance with incised irises below gently arching brows,
her finely combed hair arranged in a bun and
64 secured with a beaded fillet.
A sandstone figure of Hariti 7 1/2 in. (19 cm) high
Uttar Pradesh, 4th-6th centuries $8,000 - 10,000
Neatly modeled with a boy, possibly Priyankara,
squatting between her legs, she holds an alms Her prominent eyes and the graceful contours
bowl and the remnants of a cornucopia, and wears of her lips and jaw exemplify the sophisticated
various jewelry, a mantle, and a crescent-tiara. elegance of Gupta period sculpture (circa 320
6 in. (15.2 cm) high to 550 CE), comparing favorably to similar
$8,000 - 12,000 examples in terracotta held in the Brooklyn
Museum of Art (83.172.2 & 81.288).
Hariti is one of a number of North Indian deities
that were absorbed into the Buddhist pantheon Provenance:
as Buddhism adapted and incorporated Private Asian Collection
preexisting beliefs of local populations. Another
such deity was Kubera and two related examples
also from Uttar Pradesh are held in the Norton
Simon Museum (M.1975.11.04.S) and the
Victoria & Albert Museum (IM.322-1921).
Provenance: 67
Acquired in New York, 1980s
Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art | 51
