Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Stucco

Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Stucco   « Less

This delicate painting depicts an episode from the life of the Buddha. Devadatta, the Buddha’s cousin, had long been jealous of his relative’s success. Towards  More »

This delicate painting depicts an episode from the life of the Buddha. Devadatta, the Buddha’s cousin, had long been jealous of his relative’s success. Towards the end of the Buddha’s life he asked to take over the Order but was refused. Rather than accept the Buddha’s decision, Devadatta plotted various ways by which the Buddha might meet a fatal accident. In the city of Rajagraha, he bribed some workmen to let loose a sick elephant who charged towards the Buddha in a fit of rage. This panel depicts the moment just after the elephant is miraculously tamed by the Buddha, who places his right hand on the animal’s forehead. A monk stands to the right of the Buddha, and above four women with clasped hands watch the miracle occur from a balcony.This panel is a fragment which may once have adorned a monastic complex. It would certainly have been part of a larger narrative series depicting other scenes from the life of the Buddha. Although the colours of the mineral pigments have faded over time, the quality of the draftsmanship is still apparent. - (AM.0228)   « Less

According to religious texts, the historical Buddha Shayamuni was cremated after his death and his ashes distributed between eight reliquaries. These were placed in eight  More »

According to religious texts, the historical Buddha Shayamuni was cremated after his death and his ashes distributed between eight reliquaries. These were placed in eight hemispherical mounds known as stupas. In the third century B.C. the north Indian ruler, King Ashoka, is reputed to have opened these monuments and further subdivided the ashes between a larger number of stupas. This was regarded as an act of great piety as it enabled many more believers to have access to the relics. Buddhism spread to Gandhara from the Ganges basin in northern India in the second century B.C. In the following centuries many religious sites in Gandhara claimed to possess relics of the Buddha and they became important pilgrimage destinations, visited by devotees from all over Asia, especially China.This vessel may have contained a relic as well as other small offerings such as glass beads or coins. Such containers were often donated to monastic foundations by lay followers as a means to earn merit and generate good karma. It has an elegant design of stylized foliage on the lid. The small umbrella-like finial is a reference to the architecture of the stupas in which relics were stored. These were designed to reflect the order of the cosmos. The base was associated with the earthly sphere, whilst the ‘umbrellas’ symbolized the heavens. This remarkable object is carved from schist, a material indigenous to the region and therefore popular with local carvers. As a physical manifestation of early Buddhist piety this object has importance historical and religious associations.For a similar example see, ‘The Art of Gandhara in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,’ (New York, 2007), p. 24, fig. 21. - (LK.025)   « Less

According to religious texts, the historical Buddha Shayamuni was cremated after his death and his ashes distributed between eight reliquaries. These were placed in eight  More »

According to religious texts, the historical Buddha Shayamuni was cremated after his death and his ashes distributed between eight reliquaries. These were placed in eight hemispherical mounds known as stupas. In the third century B.C. the north Indian ruler, King Ashoka, is reputed to have opened these monuments and further subdivided the ashes between a larger number of stupas. This was regarded as an act of great piety as it enabled many more believers to have access to the relics. Buddhism spread to Gandhara from the Ganges basin in northern India in the second century B.C. In the following centuries many religious sites in Gandhara claimed to possess relics of the Buddha and they became important pilgrimage destinations, visited by devotees from all over Asia, especially China.This vessel may have contained a relic as well as other small offerings such as glass beads or coins. Such containers were often donated to monastic foundations by lay followers as a means to earn merit and generate good karma. The design of the vessel is simple and elegant, its rounded form emphasized by several unevenly spaced incised circles. The small umbrella-like finial is a reference to the architecture of the stupas in which relics were stored. These were designed to reflect the order of the cosmos. The base was associated with the earthly sphere, whilst the ‘umbrellas’ symbolized the heavens. This remarkable object is carved from schist, a material indigenous to the region and therefore popular with local carvers. As a physical manifestation of early Buddhist piety this object has importance historical and religious associations.Similar examples (with donor inscriptions) can be found in, ‘The Art of Gandhara in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,’ (New York, 2007), p. 23. - (LK.024)   « Less

Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 BC to 300 AD Dimensions: 4.4" (11.2cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Schist

Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 BC to 300 AD Dimensions: 4.4" (11.2cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Schist   « Less

Origin: Afghanistan Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 8.9" (22.6cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandhara

Origin: Afghanistan Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 8.9" (22.6cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandhara   « Less

Origin: Afghanistan Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 2.7" (6.9cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Ghandara Medium: Stone

Origin: Afghanistan Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 2.7" (6.9cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Ghandara Medium: Stone   « Less

The ancient civilization of Gandhara was located in the region encompassing modern northeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. It is the name given to an ancient  More »

The ancient civilization of Gandhara was located in the region encompassing modern northeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. It is the name given to an ancient region or province invaded in 326 BC by Alexander the Great. 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 filter through Gandhara, which was seen on the art of this period.Some of the earliest anthropomorphic representations of the Buddha were believed to have been developed under the Kushans. The innovative anthropomorphic Buddha image immediately reached a very high level of sculptural sophistication, naturally inspired by the sculptural styles of Hellenistic Greece. Adhering to the primacy of ideal beauty with a focus on the physical beauty of the human form and interest in realism, the Gandharan sculptors created some of the world's most breathtakingly serene and beautiful sculptures.This dignified Buddha head was created from stucco, which was the most popular media used. This material is easily manipulated and can produce wonderfully smooth surfaces, as is apparent on the face. The curled hair has been arranged in a top-knot, the Gandharan version of the ushnisha, or mound which symbolises the Buddha’s wisdom. The overall piece is well preserved. The Buddha’s influence is evident in the half-closed eyes suggesting meditation. He has a straight nose, and beautifully cut lips with a subtle smile. According to tradition Buddhism was first introduced into the Gandharan region under the patronage of Asoka, emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, in the third century B.C. The first significant physical remains to survive, including stupas and figurative sculpture, date from the first century B.C. In subsequent centuries Gandharan monks were to play an important role in the spread of Buddhism into other parts of Asia, especially China.The Kushans were able to establish a strong empire for a period of about three hundred years, and produced works of art reflecting both indigenous traditions and external influences. The Gandharan School reached its peak mainly towards the end of the second century with the production of the most significant large Buddha statues. Their style continued to flourish until the seventh century. - (OF.270)   « Less

Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 22" (55.9cm) high x 7.4" (18.8cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Schist

Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 22" (55.9cm) high x 7.4" (18.8cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Schist   « Less

Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 19.75" (50.2cm) high x 11.25" (28.6cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Schist

Origin: Central Asia Circa: 100 AD to 400 AD Dimensions: 19.75" (50.2cm) high x 11.25" (28.6cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Gandharan Medium: Schist   « Less