Ivory Mughal Vessel - AD.021, Origin: India, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 2.4" (6.1cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Ivory Mughal Vessel - AD.021, Origin: India, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 2.4" (6.1cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mughal, Medium: Ivory.   « Less

Pair of Diyarbekir Tiles - ADC.79, Origin: Diyarbekir, Turkey, Circa: 16 th Century AD, Dimensions: 12.68 " (32.2cm) high x 12.64 " (32.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art,  More »

Pair of Diyarbekir Tiles - ADC.79, Origin: Diyarbekir, Turkey, Circa: 16 th Century AD, Dimensions: 12.68 " (32.2cm) high x 12.64 " (32.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Wood Lion Figurine - AD.224, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.54" (9.0cm) high x 4.4" (11.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Probably  More »

Wood Lion Figurine - AD.224, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.54" (9.0cm) high x 4.4" (11.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Probably Seljuk, Medium: Wood.   « Less

Qajar Glazed Tile - ADC.80, Origin: Iran, Circa: 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 12.40 " (31.5cm) high x 14.17 " (36.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Qajar, Medium:  More »

Qajar Glazed Tile - ADC.80, Origin: Iran, Circa: 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 12.40 " (31.5cm) high x 14.17 " (36.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Qajar, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Inlaid Leather Qajar Saddle - AD.295, Origin: Iran, Circa: 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 18.7" (47.5cm) high x 12.12" (30.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Qajar,  More »

Inlaid Leather Qajar Saddle - AD.295, Origin: Iran, Circa: 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 18.7" (47.5cm) high x 12.12" (30.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Qajar, Medium: Leather, Bone, Metal.   « Less

Inlaid Leather Qajar Saddle - AD.296, Origin: Iran, Circa: 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 18.3" (46.5cm) high x 10.15" (25.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Qajar,  More »

Inlaid Leather Qajar Saddle - AD.296, Origin: Iran, Circa: 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 18.3" (46.5cm) high x 10.15" (25.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Qajar, Medium: Leather, Bone, Metal.   « Less

Origin: Pakistan Circa: 200 AD to 500 AD Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high Collection: Central Asia Style: Gandhara Medium: Stucco

Origin: Pakistan Circa: 200 AD to 500 AD Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high Collection: Central Asia Style: Gandhara Medium: Stucco   « Less

One of the most important icons in Buddhism is the figure of Queen Maya holding the baby Buddha. This particular figure has been executed from grey schist in the Classical  More »

One of the most important icons in Buddhism is the figure of Queen Maya holding the baby Buddha. This particular figure has been executed from grey schist in the Classical style and that is due to what was left over from Alexander’s invasion in Afghanistan.Her breast and belly still swollen from the birth of baby Buddha, Queen Maya stands with one leg bent and her heel razed. Her elaborate dress and jewelry denote her high level in society. Her ears hang long with bell shaped earrings, the crown of her head adorned with a beautiful tiara, and a necklace on her neck, her wrists and ankles are adorned with jewelry. One can feel her pride, happiness, and joy when noticing her peaceful gaze. The Mother Buddha lovingly holds the baby Buddha who smiles as he looks forward ready to begin his life’s journey. He is perched in his mother’s arm holding unto his sustenance, his mother’s breast in her right hand she holds the nourishment from the earth.The wisdom of the ages is shown in this exquisite piece and is reflected in Queen Maya’s face, legend has it that in order for a person to give birth to an enlighten being, then they too must be enlightened. - (FF.056)   « Less

The ancient civilization of Gandhara was located in the region encompassing modern northeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. Situated at a confluence of trading  More »

The ancient civilization of Gandhara was located in the region encompassing modern northeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. Situated at a confluence of trading paths along the Silk Route, the area was flooded in diverse cultural influences ranging from Greece to China. Gandhara flourished under the Kushan Dynasty and their great king, Kanishka, who is traditionally given credit for spreading the philosophies of Buddhism throughout central Asia and into China. This period is viewed as the most important era in the history of Buddhism. After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the creation of Greco-Bactrian kingdoms, and the general Hellenization of the subcontinent, Western aesthetics became prominent. Greek influence began permeating into Gandhara. Soon sculptors based the images of the Buddha on Greco- Roman models, depicting Him as a stocky and youthful Apollo, complete with stretched earlobes and loose monastic robes similar to a Roman toga. The extraordinary artistic creations of Gandhara reveal link between the different worlds of the East and West. The present piece is beautifully sculpted and preserved, depicting the Buddha in calm reflection. - (LSO.225)   « Less

This relief, possibly from a household shrine, depicts the deities Hariti and Pancika. Seated on a double throne, each is portrayed in a relaxed pose as if engaged in  More »

This relief, possibly from a household shrine, depicts the deities Hariti and Pancika. Seated on a double throne, each is portrayed in a relaxed pose as if engaged in conversation. Both have their divinity emphasized by the inclusion of the nimbus. According to tradition, Hariti, prior to her conversion to Buddhism, was a cruel and vengeful personality. The mother of five hundred sons she nourished them on the flesh of other children stolen from their parents. In order to reveal to Hariti the injustice of her actions the Buddha seized her youngest child. Beside herself with grief Hariti repented and converted to Buddhism. She became associated with motherhood, fertility and prosperity. Often depicted with small children clambering across her lap, this relief shows her other identifying attribute, the cornucopia. The representation of Hariti was apparently conflated with that of the Greek goddess of Fortune, Tyche, who was often depicted with a cornucopia. This kind of interaction between Classical and Buddhist artistic conventions is typical of Gandharan art. Situated on the Silk Road, at the crossroads between East and West, Gandhara has been described by one scholar as a ‘melting pot of cultures.’ Certainly, following its conquest by Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C., the Greeks exerted an important cultural influence. This continued even after the Greek dynasties were overthrown and the Kushans, from northern China, became established in the first century A.D.Pancika was Hariti’s consort and traditionally associated with wealth. When the two figures appear together they also symbolise harmony in marriage. Pancika carries his customary attribute, the staff, and previously held something in his left hand which is now unidentifiable. It may have been a money-bag as was customary in such depictions. He is dressed in a Roman-style tunic and leggings rather than an Indian dhoti. The relief is made from grey schist, a material indigenous to Gandhara and extremely popular with local artists. In excellent condition, this sculpture would make a wonderful addition to any collection.For a similar but earlier example of this subject in Gandharan art, see Pratapaditya Pal, 'Indian Sculpture: Volume 1,' (1986), p.166. - (LK.013)   « Less