A SUPERB GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA WITH A ‘KIRTIMUKHA’ TURBAN CREST, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 4TH-5TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A SUPERB GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA WITH A ‘KIRTIMUKHA’ TURBAN CREST, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 4TH-5TH CENTURY Expert’s note: The turban on the present bodhisattva head has remained intact, providing a rare opportunity to observe ancient haute couture. It gives an exacting rendition of a Kushan turban, with figural decoration at the sides and ruffled fabric surrounding a splendid crest depicting a kirtimukha spewing strings of pearls. The vast majority of Gandharan bodhisattva sculptures have damaged or lost turban crests, making the present head extremely rare. Finely carved, the serene face with heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes, elegantly arched brows, full lips, and a wavy mustache. His coiffure is secured by a finely embellished and jeweled turban and immaculately arranged in a topknot fronted by a crest depicting a large foliate blossom centered by a lion head that vomits a garland of beads, the sides carved with kneeling devotees with their hands pressed together in devotion. Dimensions: Height 36 cm The lion, regarded as the king of all beasts, was an ancient emblem of power, authority, and divine protection across many early civilizations. In the Gandharan context, the lion held particular resonance as a symbol associated with the Buddha himself, who is often referred to as the “Lion of the Shakyas.” The Buddha’s preaching was poetically described as the Siṃhanada, or “Lion’s Roar,” a metaphor for the power and truth of his teaching. In sculpture, he is frequently shown seated upon a Siṃhasana, the lion throne, signifying spiritual sovereignty. Within Gandharan art, the lion motif reflects both Hellenistic and Indian traditions. It appears in architectural elements, thrones, and headdresses as a guardian image—protective yet regal. Comparable motifs are found across the ancient world: gold vessels from Bactria, Crete, Greece, Etruria, and Persia bear lion heads gripping the rims between their jaws, symbolizing guardianship over sacred or precious contents. In Gandhara, this imagery found new life in the adornment of bodhisattvas and divine beings. Particularly striking is the use of the kirtimukha—a leonine face or mask—often positioned on crowns or turbans, its gaping mouth disgorging strings of pearls, garlands of beads, and jeweled tassels. This vivid image symbolized the transmission of spiritual power and the benefits derived from the Buddha’s voice. The combination of the lion’s fierce protective energy with the refined grace of Gandharan craftsmanship exemplifies the syncretic spirit of this art, merging local belief, Buddhist symbolism, and classical aesthetics into a single, harmonious form. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related head of a Bodhisattva with a similar lion crest, dated to the 4th-5th century, formerly in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, and now repatriated to Pakistan. Compare a related gray schist figure of the four-armed Hariti with a similar kiritmukha crest spewing pearls, Sahri-Bahlol, dated to the 2nd-3rd century, 118 cm high, in the Peshawar Museum, accession number PM-02895. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Zacke, Vienna, 11 April 2024, lot 231 Price: EUR 33,800 or approx. EUR 35,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling of the facial features and similar turban with a related crest. Note the similar size (36 cm).

图片