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 historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti River, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. This sculptural fragment depicts the bust of the Buddha. An inner calm and complacency is visible in his sweet smile. The sharply defined eyebrows arch gently downwards into his long, narrow nose. Such features are characteristic of the Gandhara style. His hair is composed of rows of miniature spirals rendered in low relief. His head is crowned by a prominent ushnisa, or topknot, that is a symbol of his divine wisdom. The ushnisa is covered with the same spiral motif that conveys the texture of his curly hair. The artists of Gandhara were the first to represent the Buddha in his human form, as opposed to a symbol such as his footprint. This gorgeous head is a reminder of an ancient civilization that, although vanished, helped spread the teachings of enlightenment throughout the heart of Asia. - (LO.605)   « 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 historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti River, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. - (LO.1309)   « Less

The ancient civilization of Gandhara thrived in the region of northeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. Situated at a confluence of trading paths along the Silk  More »

The ancient civilization of Gandhara thrived in the region of northeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. Situated at a confluence of trading paths along the Silk Route, the area was flooded in cultural influences ranging from Greece to China. Gandhara flourished under the Kushan Dynasty and their great king, Kanishka, who traditionally given credit for further 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 aesthetical tastes became prominent. Greek influence began to permeate into Gandhara. Soon sculptors based the images of the Buddha on Greco-Roman models, depicting Him as a stocky and youthful Apollo, complete with long-lobed ears 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.This sculptural fragment depicts the bust of the Buddha as a young man, perhaps a prince. His curly hair is wrapped in a headband and falls out at the sides. He wears heavy earrings that pull down on his lobe. His facial features have been smoothly defined, including his arching brows and recessed chin. Perhaps the most stunning aspect of the sculpture is the pointed eye. They protrude from his face like shells. Perhaps he is supposed to be tightly clinching his eyes closed in deep meditation. Above all, this small stucco Buddha head is a testament to the awesome creative powers of Gandhara artists. - (PF.5702)   « Less

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

The ancient civilization of Gandhara thrived 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 long-nobed ears and loose monastic robes similar to a Roman toga. The extraordinary artistic creations of Gandhara reveal a link between the different worlds of the East and West.The historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti River, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. This sculptural fragment depicts the bust of the Buddha. An inner calm and complacency is visible in his sweet smile. His ear droops down, pulled from the weight of heavy earrings he once wore in his aristocratic youth. His hair is rendered in curly waves. Some of the original pigment that once decorated this work is still visible, specifically along his eyebrows. This gorgeous head is a reminder of an ancient civilization that, although vanished, helped spread the teachings of enlightenment throughout the heart of Asia. - (PF.6208)   « Less

Exquisitely painted in the high Byzantine tradition, a style whose roots canbe traced back to the Hellenistic age, the two saints Jacob and Diomedesoriginally formed part of  More »

Exquisitely painted in the high Byzantine tradition, a style whose roots canbe traced back to the Hellenistic age, the two saints Jacob and Diomedesoriginally formed part of a procession of saints in an orthodox cathedral. Though painted on a flat surface, their elegant and classicalrobesgivethemaweighty,sculptural quality. Their faces, as befits holy persons, appear gentle and compassionate. The frame and background are rendered in the ornatedecorativepatternssobeloved of the Orthodox Church. A true masterpiece, this magnificent icontranscendsthe boundaries of faith to leave a spiritual impression on all who seeit.(PF.1239)Saints Jacoband Diomedes PF.1239Origin:Russia Circa:1750ADto1900ADCollection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Paint on Wood Panel   « Less

The icon is the epitome of symbolism and beauty, using a variety of techniques to glorify the subject matter. Delicately executed on wood panel with oil and gold, this icon  More »

The icon is the epitome of symbolism and beauty, using a variety of techniques to glorify the subject matter. Delicately executed on wood panel with oil and gold, this icon depicts the Emperor Theodosius I (346-395AD)ofthe Byzantine Empire who was significant in the development of the alliance between church and state. Standing alone in anunadorned space, his attire is extremely rich in color and design, reminiscent of Greek Orthodox and Catholic styles. This richnessparallels with the beautiful gold paneling behind him. His pose is also captivating, with his left hand holding a longwoodenstaffand a piece of white cloth, while his other hand is raised in the religious sign of peace.Hispiousyetseriousexpressionconveys the message of his dedication to his faith. Enclosed in a classical arch and surroundedbythebeautyofgoldandarchitectural design, the icon begins to affect us, not only with its beauty but with its spirituality as well, opening up a new dimension in the world of religious art. - (PF.4767)   « Less

Culture: GREEK. Date: 5TH CENTURY BC (CLASSICAL PERIOD). Material: BRONZE. Provenance: EX: AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION; EX: NEW YORK ART MARKET. Condition: INTACT, FEET  More »

Culture: GREEK. Date: 5TH CENTURY BC (CLASSICAL PERIOD). Material: BRONZE. Provenance: EX: AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION; EX: NEW YORK ART MARKET. Condition: INTACT, FEET LACKING, WITH EVEN DARK GREEN PATINA. Measurements: 4 INCHES LONG (10 CMS). Cf: Lot 384, Christie's New York Antiquities Auction, The Morven Collection of Ancient Art (est. $7,000 - $9,000, sold for $11,950).   « Less

Culture: GREEK. Date: 4TH CENTURY B.C. (CLASSICAL PERIOD). Material: BRONZE. Provenance: EX: AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION; EX: NEW YORK ART MARKET. Condition: INTACT, REAR  More »

Culture: GREEK. Date: 4TH CENTURY B.C. (CLASSICAL PERIOD). Material: BRONZE. Provenance: EX: AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION; EX: NEW YORK ART MARKET. Condition: INTACT, REAR LEFT LEG LACKING, PART OF THE TWO HORNS LACKING, WITH DARK GREEN PATINA, MOUNTED ON A CUSTOM BASE STAND. Measurements: 2.9 INCHES HIGH (7 CMS). Depicted naturalistically, raised up on its hind legs, the forelegs folded obliquely, with short tail. A very rare early type. Cf: Lot 393, Christie's New York Antiquities auction, The Morven Collection of Ancient Art, 8 June 2004 ( slightly larger and more detailed, est. $20,000 - $30,000, sold for $28,680).   « Less

Culture: EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. Date: 6TH - 4TH CENTURY BC. Origin: PHOENICIAN. Material: CORE FORMED GLASS. Provenance: EX: EARLY PRIVATE COLLECTION. Condition: INTACT,  More »

Culture: EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. Date: 6TH - 4TH CENTURY BC. Origin: PHOENICIAN. Material: CORE FORMED GLASS. Provenance: EX: EARLY PRIVATE COLLECTION. Condition: INTACT, SUPERB, WITH CUSTOM BASE STAND. Measurements: 3.5 INCHES HIGH, (8.9 CMS). An exceptional example of early core formed glass, with cylindrical body and rounded base, the short neck with flattened and splayed rim, the shoulder with twin pierced ring handles with flaring trails, the aubergine body matrix is decorated with beige white wavy trails and so is the rim. Cf: For an almost identical example, see lot # 19, Sotheby's Parke Bernet Ancient Glass Auction for The Constable-Maxwell Collection of Ancient Glass, 4/5 June 1979. See also no's 80-91, pp. 138-141, Mediterranean cire-formed bottles, group I, Early Ancient Glass, The Toledo Museum of Art, Core Formed , Rod-Formed, and Cast Vessels and Objects from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Roman Empire, 1600 BC to AD 50, D. Grose. For another almost identical alabastron, See also lot 294, Bonham's London Antiquities Auction, 28 October 2009, (sold for 9,360 English Pounds). Our vast inventory of ancient art includes one of the finest and most comprehensive ancient glass collections ever assembled; it includes nearly every variety of pre-Roman, Roman, and eastern Mediterranean ancient glass. If you have any specific inquiries, please let us know.   « Less

Culture: Greek. Date: 1600 - 1500 B.C. Material: Bronze. Condition: Intact, rear right leg missing. Provenance: Ex: European private collection. Measurements:  More »

Culture: Greek. Date: 1600 - 1500 B.C. Material: Bronze. Condition: Intact, rear right leg missing. Provenance: Ex: European private collection. Measurements: 7 inches long (17.8 cms), 4.75 inches high (12 cms). Of powerful features, made by lost wax method. Cf: For a similar object, see lot 47, Sotheby's Antiquities and Islamic Art Auction, New York, Friday, December 8, 1995.   « Less