Bonhams 1793 : A green schist torso of a donor Ancient Region of Gandhara, Taxila region, circa 2nd century

Ancient Region of Gandhara, Taxila region, circa 2nd century
Standing in restrained tribhanga with his right leg slightly forward, the male donor presents two floral offerings in his hands. With his right, he grasps the stalks of a bouquet of lotus blossoms, with his left he proffers a spherical arrangement. His well-modeled torso revealed, he wears a shawl draped over his left shoulder, a flat, crescent-shaped necklace incised with geometric designs, and bracelets around his wrists. His dhoti is made from a thin fabric that falls in a series of delicately-arranged folds against his legs and is secured by a narrow belt tied around his hips. The sash is decorated with rosettes and the two ends hang between his legs, terminating in a finely-incised fringe.
27 1/4 in. (69.2 cm) high

Estimate:

US$ 20,000 - 30,000
£13,000 - 20,000
€15,000 - 23,000

Footnotes

Images of donors and worshipers are prevalent throughout Gandharan art, appearing as free-standing sculptures, as in the present example, and in architectural panels or reliefs. Surviving examples of this size, however, are rare. Donors are often portrayed carrying offerings of flowers, food, or other tributes to present as gifts to the Buddha.

For another example of donors with similar bouquets in this sale, see lot 24. Additionally, see four examples in stair-riser reliefs in Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, 1957, nos 411-414. Also see Isao Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. II, 2003, figs. 581 & 582, p. 201 and another from Butkara in Susan and John Huntington, The Art of Ancient India, New York, 1985, no. 7.13, p. 122.

Published:
Carlton Rochell, Realm of the Gods, New York, March 2006

Provenance:
Private Collection, Japan, mid 1990s
Carlton Rochell, Ltd., 2006
Private Collection, New York