Details

LOT 1717

Gandharan Gable Section with Figure

CIRCA 2ND-4TH CENTURY A.D.

9 5/8 in. (2.86 kg total, 24.5 cm high including stand).

The majority of the left hand quadrant of the middle section of a schist gable: a deep, oversailing arch carved with sawtooth and 'heart' shapes oriented sideways, rectangular panels containing flower heads to the underside, framing a figural scene in deep relief apparently showing a woman operating ploughing equipment, detailing to her face, hair, jewellery and garments, fronds emerging from the background and feeling their way towards an outer register; volute to bottom left now worn; mounted on a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired in Huntingdon, UK, circa 1990.
Private collection of Professor Kenneth Graham, London, UK.

Literature

Cf. The British Museum, museum numbers 1917,1009.9 and 1880.219, for form and likely context.

Footnotes

Likely a section of a false gable for a stupa.