Stupa with relics and casket Rock crystal, gold, pearls and schist Ancient Region of Gandhara, Kushan Period

A rock crystal stupa in three parts, surmounted by a golden chattra (parasol) with tiny pearls suspended along the rim, the relics consisting of a golden strip punched with Kharoshthi characters inserted into the middle section of the stupa, a golden rosette with a granulated surface and a small golden disc-shaped container. The ovoid schist casket, the lid decorated with a recessed floral motif on the fluted top and a chevron pattern incised around the neck, the base with a stepped foot, the whole with traces of gilding adhering to the surface.

Afghanistan, Une Histoire Millenaire, Musee Guimet, 2002

Crystal Stupa: Both the base and upper sections have cracks and fissures within the crystal structure producing some cloudiness. A few chips along some edges and soil encrustation in cornice moldings. A small semi-circular crystal section missing which when positioned below the top most semi-circular section would have formed a sphere. The gold chattra slightly misshapen, some of the pendants missing and traces of soil encrustation. Gold elements: a few dents and soil encrustation on surface. Schist Casket: Chips along the rim of the lid and a semi-circular chip out of the rim of the knop which has an insertion point in the center. Some scratches and superficial chips as well as soil encrustation and traces of gold leaf overall. Fair condition. No restoration.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Zwalf mentions that the range of material considered suitable for deposition was considerable, but a relic chamber typically might contain a miniature stone stupa or metal casket which contained further relics including gold, fragments of bones, semi-precious stones, pearls and smaller caskets. The Kharoshthi characters on the golden strip that is placed centrally within the rock crystal stupa indicate the name of the donor of the reliquary, the script belonging to the style of the first century.

 

For a similar sized rock crystal stupa see Isao Kurita, Gandharan Art II, The World of the Buddha, Japan, 2003, p. 264, pl. 796. For a similar schist casket see W. Zwalf, A Catalogue of Gandhara Sculpture in the British Museum, London, 1996, p. 339, pl. 644.