Gandhara Schist Relief Buddhist monk. 20,5 cm H. 1st - 2nd century A.D.
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€ 200
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 3,900 - € 4,500
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Gandharan schist relief of a Buddhist monk, 20.5 cm high and 17 cm wide, dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, in Good condition; acquired from a private collection in France in 2025.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Relief of a Buddhist monk
Stone, schist
Gandhara, 1st - 2nd century A.D.
20,5 cm height and 17 cm width.
Condition: Very good, see photos.
Provenance: Private collection, France, 1970.
The Buddhist reliefs of Gandharan culture, carved mainly from schist stone, are one of the most outstanding manifestations of religious art in the Indian subcontinent. Gandhara culture, which flourished between the 1st and 5th centuries AD in the regions of present-day northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, was characterized by the fusion of Greek, Roman, Persian, and Indian influences, a product of the intense cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
Schist, a fine-grained, bluish-gray metamorphic rock, allowed sculptors to create reliefs with great precision and detail. They depicted scenes from the life of the Buddha, episodes from his jātakas (previous lives), and various figures of bodhisattvas, monks, and devotees. These works are distinguished by their classical naturalism, visible in the realistic folds of the clothing, the serene faces, and the balanced compositions inspired by Hellenistic art.
The reliefs decorated temples and stupas, serving as visual narratives that conveyed Buddhist teachings to the faithful. In addition to their religious value, they reflect the technical sophistication and cultural diversity of Gandhara, where art became a bridge between East and West, shaping a universal Buddhist iconography.
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
-We are a professional seller.
- All items sold will come with their professional invoice.
- All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), including the description, image and provenance of the item.
- All items will be shipped via private courier with insurance (DHL express, CORREOS of Spain, or other similar with tracking number).
- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateRelief of a Buddhist monk
Stone, schist
Gandhara, 1st - 2nd century A.D.
20,5 cm height and 17 cm width.
Condition: Very good, see photos.
Provenance: Private collection, France, 1970.
The Buddhist reliefs of Gandharan culture, carved mainly from schist stone, are one of the most outstanding manifestations of religious art in the Indian subcontinent. Gandhara culture, which flourished between the 1st and 5th centuries AD in the regions of present-day northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, was characterized by the fusion of Greek, Roman, Persian, and Indian influences, a product of the intense cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
Schist, a fine-grained, bluish-gray metamorphic rock, allowed sculptors to create reliefs with great precision and detail. They depicted scenes from the life of the Buddha, episodes from his jātakas (previous lives), and various figures of bodhisattvas, monks, and devotees. These works are distinguished by their classical naturalism, visible in the realistic folds of the clothing, the serene faces, and the balanced compositions inspired by Hellenistic art.
The reliefs decorated temples and stupas, serving as visual narratives that conveyed Buddhist teachings to the faithful. In addition to their religious value, they reflect the technical sophistication and cultural diversity of Gandhara, where art became a bridge between East and West, shaping a universal Buddhist iconography.
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
-We are a professional seller.
- All items sold will come with their professional invoice.
- All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), including the description, image and provenance of the item.
- All items will be shipped via private courier with insurance (DHL express, CORREOS of Spain, or other similar with tracking number).
- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Gandhara
Century/ Timeframe
1st - 2nd century A.D.
Name of object
Relief Buddhist monk. 20,5 cm H. 1st - 2nd century A.D.
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Schist
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
