Mark Rasmussen
International Director
Lot 59
A green schist relief panel with two ascetics Ancient region of Gandhara, circa 3rd century
18 September 2013, 10:00 EDT
New YorkUS$8,000 - US$12,000
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A green schist relief panel with two ascetics
Ancient region of Gandhara, circa 3rd century
Exceptionally carved in high relief with two ascetics wearing long flowing robes and wavy locks, one seated with a water pot between his feet, a scared chord draped over his emaciated torso, his left hand upraised, and his face with almond-shaped eyes and unkempt facial hair; the other kneeling with his back turned away from the viewer resting his weight on the arch of his right foot, holding the remnants of the water pot in his left hand and with his right pressed against his forehead shielding his modeled face.
11 1/4 in. (28.5 cm) long
Exceptionally carved in high relief with two ascetics wearing long flowing robes and wavy locks, one seated with a water pot between his feet, a scared chord draped over his emaciated torso, his left hand upraised, and his face with almond-shaped eyes and unkempt facial hair; the other kneeling with his back turned away from the viewer resting his weight on the arch of his right foot, holding the remnants of the water pot in his left hand and with his right pressed against his forehead shielding his modeled face.
11 1/4 in. (28.5 cm) long
Footnotes
Carved with an expressive flair, in their original context lining a stupa these ascetics would have either been part of narrative panel below a central icon of Buddha, or a non-narrative decorative band depicting disciples and followers. If part of a narrative, it is possible that the scene would have represented the conversion of the sixteen disciples of Bavari who were sent to scrutinize Buddha. Various depictions can be seen in Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, New York, 1957, pls. 107-8 and Zwalf, A Catalogue of the Gandharan Sculpture in the British Museum, London, 1996, nos. 222 & 500. Reinforcing the validity of Buddha's teachings, such images of profoundly affected disciples were important progenitors of the faith.
Published:
Simon Ray, London, 2004, no. 1, p. 6-7.