Page 50 - 2021 March 17th, Indian and Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art, Christie's New York City

GANDHARAN MASTERPIECES FROM A PRIVATE JAPANESE COLLECTION

415
A GRAY SCHIST FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI
ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY CE
26æ in. (67.9 cm.) high
$30,000-50,000
PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Europe, before 1990, by repute.
Important private collection, Japan, by 1990.
LITERATURE:
I. Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. II, Tokyo, 1990, p. 85, fig. 215.

古犍陀羅 三/四世紀 灰片岩雕釋迦牟尼佛立像
來源:
私人珍藏，歐洲，1990年前（傳）。
重要私人珍藏，日本，不晚於1990年。
出版:
栗田功，《ガンダーラ美術〈II〉仏陀の世界》，東京，1990年，頁85，圖215。

This present figure of Buddha Shakyamuni is beautifully carved, with layered
drapery revealing the masterful modeling of the body beneath. The naturalistic
attention to the robes is characteristic of the Gandharan period and drawn
from the earlier Graeco-Roman influence in the region. The figure's left knee
is slightly bent, as if he has just taken a step forward, conveying a subtle sense
of approaching the viewer.

Compare the present figure with a similarly scaled example at The Metropolitan
Museum of Art (acc. no. 67.154.5). The physiognomy is similarly carved;
the proportions of the facial features are alike, and the legs are modeled in
the round beneath the drapery, with low bellies that protrude slightly. The
configurations of the bases are also similar, although the present figure
has devotees attending to a burning censor in place of Buddha, who is fully
represented in The Metropolitan Museum of Art example.

Cover and illustration from I. Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. II, Tokyo, 1990, p. 85. Standing Buddha; ancient region of Gandhara, 3rd-4th century; 20 in. (50.8
cm.) high; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bequest of Adra M. Newell,
67.154.5.