Gray schist
Gandhara, 3rd century
Small fragment with vertically stacked relief panels flanked by a garland frieze on the left
Depiction of two erotes
Mounted on a wooden stand (later)
Dimensions: 16 x 7 x 5.5 cm
Condition consistent with age
Provenance: Collection of Jack Zuberbühler, Switzerland
Object is regular taxed. Differential taxation is not possible

The geometrizing arrangement and the garland frieze suggest that this fragment is part of a large-scale composition. (Cf. a large stele with scenes from the life of the Buddha and erotes in the Lahore Museum, Pakistan, accession no. G-109)



Kingdom of Gandhara

The kingdom of Gandhara lasted for around 15 centuries, from 530 BC, as a province of the Persian Empire to 1021 AD, when its last king was murdered by his own troops. The ancient kingdom of Gandhara stretched across parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was an important commercial center of the Middle East, many centuries before the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. But Gandhara was also a jewel of Buddhist civilization and influential in the development of early Mahayana Buddhism.

Gandhara is noted for the distinctive Gandhara style in Buddhist art, which developed out of a merger of Greek, Syrian, Persian and Indian artistic influence. Gandharan style flourished and achieved its peak during the Kushan period, from the 1st to the 5th century. In the first century AD, Gandhara was the birthplace of some of the earliest Buddhist images – until then only symbolic representations had been prevailing. This new imagery became a model for all later depictions of Buddha.



Condition: The relief in fair condition consistent with age. It measures 16 x 7 x 5.5 cm (height x width x depth).

Provenance: Collection of Jack Zuberbühler, Switzerland

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