Kushan period, 2^nd-3^rd century. Superbly carved, standing in samabhanga on a rectangular plinth carved in relief with Buddha seated in dhyanasana flanked by worshipers. He is dressed in voluminous robes draped across both shoulders, carved naturalistically with U-shaped folds that reveal the contours of his powerful body. The face sensitively modeled with a benevolent expression with crisply delineated features like heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes, rosebud mouth, and full cheeks, centered by the urna and flanked by elongated earlobes. The hair arranged in wavy locks rising over the ushnisha, backed by a smoothly polished nimbus encircled by a wreath.

Provenance: From the private collection of Marie Louise Alexienne Vanleew (1929-2024), Belgium, acquired in the early 1960s and thence by direct descent to her grandson, the present owner of this lot. A copy of a provenance statement written and signed by the present owner, confirming the above, accompanies this lot.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, obvious losses, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations, cracks, old repairs and touchups, chips, nicks, scratches.

Weight: 44.1 kg
Dimensions: Height 99.5 cm (excl. stand), 101 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted on an associated stand. (2)

This masterfully carved figure embodies an idealized and transcendent male form. The heavy sanghati delicately models the muscular shoulders, torso, soft belly and rounded thigh; the left knee bends in preparation to step forward. This subtle gesture, along with the undulating folds of the robe, allows one to imagine the fabric fluttering as the Buddha moves. Heavy eyelids frame the almond-shaped eyes, the forehead remains perfectly unlined, and there is no tension in the rosebud mouth. While activated with energy, movement and life, the Buddha is simultaneously in a state of otherworldly tranquility.

Expert’s note:
The halo bears a rare and distinctive wreath carved around the rim, which is also seen on two examples in Pakistan illustrated by Harald Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, New York, 1957, and one held within the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection at Asia Society, New York, accession number 1979.3, illustrated in Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan, New York, 2011, pp. 150-1, no. 58.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 13 September 2011, lot 230
Price: USD 98,500 or approx. EUR 128,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gray schist figure of Buddha, Gandhara, 2^nd-3^rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, and manner of carving. Note the size (114.9 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 29 November 2016, lot 112
Price: HKD 937,500 or approx. EUR 128,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A schist figure of Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, circa 3^rd century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, and manner of carving, with similar expression, features, robe and garment folds, wreath carved around the rim of the halo, and base carved in relief with a figural scene. Note the size (71 cm).