Page 34 - 2021 March 17th, Indian and Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art, Christie's New York City

Exceptionally carved in deeply detailed relief, this large stele depicts Buddha Either assertion lends an interesting interpretation of the present relief. If
Shakyamuni in retinue with Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, the Miracle at Shravashti is indeed portrayed, the scene is reduced to its
and Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. Accompanied by splendid portrayals essential elements. In this work, Buddha is depicted seated upon a twice-
of nature, the figures of Buddha and his attendants are elegantly modeled, layered lotus, stylistically reminiscent of bases accompanying bronze figures
appearing at points to be nearly in the round. of Swat Valley (see lot 442). Two figures emerge waist-up from the bottom
of the stele and appear to hoist the lotus out from the water. Two princely
The scene depicted in this relief and similar compositions has been the subject figures kneel in devotion from either lower corner, suggesting the presence
of dispute over the past century. The much-cited early scholar of Gandharan of Nanda and Upananda. Buddha is flanked by bodhisattvas standing
art, Alfred Foucher attributes the type to 'The Great Miracle at Shravashti,' upon their own lotus bases, likely Avalokiteshvara, grasping a lotus, on the
where Buddha performs several miracles to repute challenges from the proper right and Maitreya, carrying a water vessel, on the left. Indra and
heretics (see A. Foucher, The Beginnings of Buddhist Art, London, 1917, pp. 147- Brahma are each nestled between the bodhisattvas and Buddha, emerging
184). Among his miracles, and perhaps the most significant, is Buddha’s self- from the background, rather than firmly placed figures. A second figure of
multiplication. According to Buddhist doctrine, Buddha sat cross-legged upon Buddha stands upon a lotus base in the top right corner. In the opposite,
a lotus flower created by the naga kings Nanda and Upanda. As he entered a corner stands a bodhisattva, who may be identified as either Maitreya or
state of contemplation, a second lotus was created atop the first, and atop the Siddhartha, although it lacks definitive attributes in its present condition.
new lotus, a second seated Buddha appeared. Several proto-yaksha figures rest in the flowering tree, holding parasols and
garlands over Buddha.
While writing on the comparable Mohammed Nari Stele at the Lahore
Museum (see A. Proser, The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan: Art of Gandhara, The present stele demonstrates the work of a highly skilled artisan; while
2011, New York, p. 163, cat. 68 for illustration) Juhyung Rhi questions the only a few inches thick, the relief manages to incorporate considerable
attribution to this triad type as the Miracle at Shravashti (see, J. Rhi, “Complex detail and depth. A stand out among more common lower-relief works
Steles: Great Miracle, Paradise, or Theophany” in The Buddhist Heritage of depicting similar subjects, the present lot may be compared to a rare and
Pakistan: Art of Gandhara, 2011, New York, pp. 65-72). Rhi points out that the well-published dated Buddhist triad from the same private collection sold at
composition could alternatively be identified as Sukhavati, the paradise of Christie’s New York, 23 September 2020, lot 609. Also compare the work
Buddha Amitabha. The composition of the present triad, and similar examples, to a parcel gilt and polychromed gray schist stele of the Teaching Buddha
draws parallels to the depiction of Sukhavati in early East Asian art, which sold at Christie's New York on 11 September 2012, lot 522; the present stele
depict a seated Buddha flanked by standing Bodhisattvas. Reference the can be assumed to have had similar polychromy, although traces of such
seventh-century Tang dynasty murals in Cave 332 at Dunhuang, or images of evidence rarely survive into the present day.
Amitabha with Bodhisattvas within Qianxisi Cave at the Longmen Grottoes
for early Chinese Amitabha triads, which parallel the present configuration.

A rare and magnificent gray schist relief triad of Buddha Shakyamuni with
Bodhisattvas; ancient region of Gandhara, dated by inscription to year 5, probably 3rd-
4th century CE; 24 ¼ in. (61.6 cm.) high; 23 ¼ in. (59.1 cm.) wide; sold at Christie’s New
York, 23 September, 2020, for $6,630,000.