Rare et important buste de Bodhisattva en schiste gris. Région du Gandhara, IIème-IIIème siècle

Superbement sculpté, aux proportions idéales, le torse viril laissé nu, un pan de vêtement plissé retombant de son épaule gauche, paré d'un bracelet et de pendants d'oreilles ouvragés, d'un collier de pierres et d'un autre rehaussé d'un fermoir composé de deux dragons affrontés de part et d'autre d'une perle, le visage serein, de forme ovale, la bouche finement ourlée et légèrement souriante, le nez aquilin, les yeux en amande aux paupières coupantes, les sourcils arqués, le front paré de l'urna, les cheveux ondulés retombant sur les épaules, certaines mèches nouées au sommet du crâne et retenues par un bandeau perlé agrémenté de têtes de lions, un grand halo circulaire mettant un peu plus en valeur la sculpture, socle. Hauteur: 69 cm. (27 1/8 in.). Est. €80,000 - €120,000

Provenance: Private Asian collection, acquired in 1978.

Notes: With the growing popularity of Mahayana Buddhism around the 2nd century in Gandharan art, large detached images were sculptured alongside narrative friezes. The present lot is a superbly executed example of a Bodhisattva characteristic for the high point of that development and among the best of refinement in carving. The sculptors of Gandhara were highly skilled craftsmen who created Buddhist images that often show strong Hellenistic influence. Also the present figure is remarkable for many details of its carving and decoration. This can be seen in the elaborate and complex treatment of the drapery, the complex array of necklaces, the sensitively modeled facial features and the delicately carved tresses of the hair. Two closely related and nearly intact examples of large grey schist figures of Maitreya with similar treatment of the drapery and loosely bound topknot were sold in our New York Rooms, 17 September 2003, lot 11 and 16 September 2008, lot 334.

Christie's. Art d'Asie. 10 June 2009. Paris www.christies.com