**First Time At Auction**

Central Asia, Northwest Pakistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. An elegant schist relief panel exemplifying the Gandharan intersection of Eastern and Western aesthetic and iconography: 3 dynamically posed putti supporting a hefty garland laden with fruit. Mostly nude, the cherubic youths wear topknots and prayer bead - reminiscent of Buddha - while simultaneously standing contrapposto. The dips in the garland between the figures are adorned with ribbons as well as a blossoming lotus flower, the head of a figure who also wears a topknot, and a Classical vase. Size: 13.8" L x 2" W x 4.1" H (35.1 cm x 5.1 cm x 10.4 cm); 6.4" H (16.3 cm) on included custom stand.

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.

Compare other examples at the British Museum (1940,0713.1, 1900,0522.2, 1880.59, and 1880.883) and the Ashmolean Museum (Jongeward, "Buddhist Art of Gandhara," Oxford, 2019, p.81, no.52).

Provenance: ex-private Pasadena, California, USA collection; ex-DK collection, San Fransisco Bay area, before 2000

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#180869

Fragment of a larger piece with a few minor chips, as well as age-expected nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, excellent with impressive preservation of detail and light earthen deposits in areas.