Page 42 - Christies DEVOTION IN STONE Gandharan Art From a Japanese Collection Sept 23 2020 NYC

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A GRAY SCHIST RELIEF DEPICTING THE A RARE GREEN SCHIST BUDDHAPADA
ADORATION OF THE TRIRATNA ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, PROBABLY
ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY CE SWAT VALLEY, 2ND-4TH CENTURY CE
17æ in. (45.1 cm.) high; 19º in. (48.9 cm.) wide 32¬ in. (82.9 cm.) high; 13¡ in. (34 cm.) wide
$25,000-35,000 $30,000-50,000

PROVENANCE: PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Europe, by 1988. Private collection, Europe, before 1990.
Important private collection, Japan, by 1990. Important private collection, Japan, by 1990.
LITERATURE: LITERATURE:
I. Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. I, Tokyo, 1988, p. 138, P3-III. I. Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. II, Tokyo, 1990, p. 258, fig. 782.

The triratna refers to the three jewels of Buddhism- Buddha, dharma
and sangha (monkhood). Artistically, the triratna symbol is represented
by a undulating trident surmounted by lotus flowers and dharma wheels.
Before it became practice to sculpt figural images of Buddha, symbols
such as the triratna, the buddhapada, the stupa, and the throne were
revered as aniconic representations of Buddha himself. In the present
example, a figure kneels upon Buddha’s throne, hoisting the triratna to be
venerated in his place.