犍陀羅 貴霜王朝二 / 三世紀 片岩雕犍陟馬誕生圖板

the arc-shaped stupa drum panel carved with a scene depicting the newly born Kanthaka, with seven finely carved figures in flowing robes at left, the heads of five steeds at upper right, the young Kanthaka nursing from his mother in repose, who feeds from a kneeling attendant, enclosed overall by Corinthian-style pillars

Private American Collection, acquired 1968.

Good overall condition. Some areas of loss to geometric detail along upper border. Wear and minor accretion overall; recently cleaned. Mounted on a black base.
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.

This curved panel depicts scenes from the life of Kanthaka, Buddha's favored white steed, and represents a lower register fragment of a stupa drum, used as a reliquary for sacred remains. Panels such as these were attached to stupas which were placed within Gandharan shrines. Devotees would circumambulate the stupas in a clockwise direction, reading narratives of the life of Buddha in sequence along the way. Compare the geometrical upper border design and pillar-scene segregation with another stupa drum panel from the same period depicting scenes from the life of Buddha in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, acc. no. NGA 2010.1204.