A large gray schist figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Ancient region of Gandhara, 3rd century

Kansai Private Collection, prior to 1980.

Gandhara, an ancient area located in what is today northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, emerged as a significant hub for Buddhist culture and art between the 1st century BCE and the 5th century CE. Positioned along the well-known trade route known as the Silk Road, Gandhara played a pivotal role as a cultural crossroads, blending early Western classical influences with Indian iconography and local traditions. The resulting Gandharan art style, which flourished from the 1st century CE, is notable for its integration of Greek artistic elements with native and Buddhist themes. It was not until the 2nd century, however, that Gandharan art began to depict the first human representations of the Buddha, moving away from earlier symbolic representations like footprints, riderless horses, and umbrellas.

The present figure from Gandhara is worthy of direct comparison to an example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession no. 2014.188) attributed to the 3rd century. The museum attributes the sculpture to 'Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, possibly Takht-i-bahi monastery, ancient region of Gandhara.' This figure, however, stands taller than the Met example which is only 36½ in. (92.7 cm) in height. This large and fine example is also closely related to a similar example sold in these rooms, 21st September 2007, lot 4.