A VERY FINE STUCCO BUST OF A MONK, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY

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A VERY FINE STUCCO BUST OF A MONK, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY Expert’s note The present figure would originally have formed part of a larger, most probably narrative composition. The monk’s upward gaze and deeply absorbed, almost rapt expression suggest that the Buddha was positioned above him. His face conveys a profound sense of reverence and wonder, as though he were contemplating the Buddha’s presence or witnessing an episode from his sacred life. The figure may thus have belonged to a group of monks or devotees gathered around the Buddha, their individual poses and expressions articulating different responses to the scene unfolding before them. Kushan period. Naturalistically modeled with the shaved head gently raised towards the sky, the right hand touching his shoulder, his robe draped in fine pleads over the left shoulder, the face in a pensive expression with almond shaped eyes below gently arched eyebrows and with a pierced pendulous earlobe. Dimensions: Height 18.5 cm (excl. stand), 26 cm (incl. stand) Mounted to a modern stand. (2) Gandhara, located in the rugged foothills of the Himalayas, was a thriving cultural crossroads, where Greek, Parthian, and Kushan influences converged with the indigenous Buddhist tradition. The wealth of the region, bolstered by its pivotal role in trade, allowed for the commissioning of grandiose sculptures and monumental icons that reflected the evolving Buddhist philosophy, particularly from the 4th to 5th centuries AD. These works embodied the transformative ideologies of a flourishing Gandharan society. In addition to schist, stucco was a popular medium for sculpture in the ancient Gandhara region. A lightweight, malleable ware, stucco readily lends itself to delicate detailing and sensitive modeling, conveying an emotional presence exemplified in this fine contemplative figure of a monk. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related Gandharan group of two monks, one with in a similar pose, Afghanistan, Hadda site, Tapa-kalan monastery, in the collection of the Musée Guimet, Paris. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 13 September 2011, lot 248 Price: USD 5,625 or approx. EUR 7,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the similar subject, shaved head, pierce earlobe, expression, and treatment of the gown. Note the size (27.3 cm).

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