Northwest Pakistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A remarkable schist panel depicting a standing man surrounded by a pair of putti next to an ornate column, all skillfully carved in high relief. Draped in a toga, the male figure stands in contrapposto and turns to his left, exposing his right arm which stretches across his slender body. His ancient visage presents a pointed nose, pursed lips, wide eyes, and long ears, all under a thick head of hair. A pair of putti flanks the central figure, standing beside his feet, also in contrapposto, and with their outside arms extending inward across their torsos. All three are framed by a lovely archway decorated with a triangular border and surrounded by bunches of grapes and a pair of curtains. To their left is a non-traditional column featuring several registers of geometric and vegetal designs, along with a highly detailed shaft exhibiting the back of a nude man. Size: 11" W x 13.75" H (27.9 cm x 34.9 cm); 15.5" H (39.4 cm) on included custom stand.

The column is surrounded by an incised border, separating it in time and space from the male figure and the putti, and suggesting it may serve as a division between narrative scenes of the relief. A petite mason's mark can be found in the lower left corner of the panel.

The Gandharan Empire made itself wealthy in part by controlling lucrative trade along the mountain passes between China in the East and the Near East and Mediterranean in the West; a great deal of this wealth went into local patronage of artisans and art. In the first century CE, Buddhism became fashionable amongst Gandharan elites, and the art produced at this time included some of the most striking Buddhist images from the past. Their artistic tradition also reflects the conquest of Alexander the Great and the introduction of Western aesthetics, blended into a uniquely Gandharan tradition.

Provenance: ex-private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Estate of Roslyn Willett, New York City, New York, USA, acquired from Michael Cohen Asian Art, New York City, New York, USA on January 1, 1993

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#162172

Mason mark in lower left corner of panel. Fragment of a larger piece. Expected nicks/chips and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice earthen deposits throughout.