Details

LOT 0388

Gandharan Meditating Buddha Statue, 2nd-4th century AD

2ND-4TH CENTURY AD

32 1/4" (44.5 kg, 82cm including stand).

A schist statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in relaxed and meditative pose on a tapering base with nimbus to the rear of the head, wavy hair dressed in a top-knot over the ushnisha, serene expression to the youthful face with heavy lidded eyes and small pursed mouth, urna to the brow, loosely draped robe and sanghati mantle, the hands folded palm-upwards in the lap; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Property of a London gentleman; previously with central London gallery; imported from the USA in the early 1970s; formerly with Mahboubian Gallery, New York since the late 1960s; accompanied by original early 1970s black and white photograph.

Footnotes

The figure is carved in a relaxed pose with the hands placed palm-upwards, eyes closed in contemplation of the infinite. Buddha 'the enlightened one' indulges in various forms of meditation in order to pursue equanimity and mindfulness (sati) using moral restraint and a wholesome frame of mind as means. This system was developed by Buddha as an alternative to the very painful regime of self-denial and asceticism which was prevalent in the east of India during his lifetime, but maintaining distance from the passing rewards of sensual pleasure through food, sex and other indulgences. The so-called 'Middle Way' proved a more rewarding and balanced approach to gaining spiritual awakening.

CONDITION