Gandhara Schist Relief with scenes from the life of Buddha. 46.3 cm H.

Relief with scenes from the life of Buddha

- big relief -

Gandhara

2nd - 3rd century AD

Shist

45.5 cm large and 46.3 cm height

CONDITION: Good condition.

PROVENANCE: Private collection, Asia, 1960.

Relief made in schist structured in two central registers of rectangular format, flanked on the sides by four diagonally structured vignettes. All of them, smaller than the central ones, are starred by two characters, each one showing an active and different posture, which gives a great dynamism to the scene. In the central zone there are friezes referring to the life of Buddha, since the central character presents the same characteristics with which he is usually represented. It should be noted that the lower area has a geometric design, from which two large columns depart as palm trunks that serve as a division between the vignettes.

The historical region of Gandhara, which corresponds to the southeast of present-day Afghanistan, central and northern Pakistan, and northwest India, was a satrapy of the Achaemenid Persian Empire from the sixth century BC, conquered by Alexander the Great, remaining Hellenistic with the Greco-Hindu rulers, until it was annexed to the Kushana Empire (first - third centuries AD). The Kushans adopted many elements of Hellenistic culture, adapting the Greek alphabet, etc. to their language. It is because of these historical circumstances that Greco-Buddhist art developed in Gandhara, a syncretism between Greek culture and Buddhism. In particular, Hellenistic sculpture was the main source of influence in the art of Gandhara, since it represented the gods in human form. Later the area also had direct relations with the Roman world, through the trade and cultural exchange that developed through the Silk Road, through which Roman coins and sculptures appeared in Gandhara, depicting emperors, high dignitaries and gods. The Greco-Latin influence in this region was key in its artistic development, both for the formal aspects and for the fact that Buddha was represented in human form. In fact, Gandhara will be the first center, together with Mathura, where not only Sakyamuni or historical Buddha is represented in human form, but also other figures of the Buddhist pantheon. This figurative representation will also favor the expansion of Buddhism throughout East Asia.

Notes:
- The piece includes authenticity certificate.
- The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union). NOT TAXES.
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