Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Northern India, Gandhara / Kushan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A naturalistic schist carving of a standing Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, handsome and dressed in contemporary Gandharan finery of a king- his head capped by a turban, necklace, earrings, and layers of robes cascading over his body. He holds the water pot, kundika, containing the elixir of life and stands upon a lotus pedestal. The garment folds are carved into the verso, suggesting this statue could be viewed from all sides originally, perhaps the lotus base projected from atop the rest of the stone carving. Gandharan sculpture became famous for the blend of Greco-Roman realism and Buddhist symbolism that is captured by this figure! Size: 2.25" L x 1.25" W x 6.2" H (5.7 cm x 3.2 cm x 15.7 cm); 7" H (17.8 cm) on included custom stand.

A unique Indo-Greek culture arose after Alexander the Great's conquest of Central Asia during the 3rd century BCE, and Hellenistic art continued to strongly influence the region and was sustained by the syncretic Kushan Empire well into the 4th century!

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#179475

Repaired, face is reattached with hairline break encircling back of head and chin. Old losses and chips. Loss to right arm and left hand attribute, and waist area. Abrasions to pointed areas: face, halo, robes. Mineral and earthen deposits on the surface. Overall great preservation to details.