Indus Valley and Other Terracotta Vessel Group

In a rectangular white card reveal with ellipsoid opening, hand-painted watercolour scene depicting a noblewoman in a garden, resting against a large decorated pillow, wearing a transparent shawl with floral detailing over a lavender-coloured robe, sitar and water vessel beside her and two red pillows on a decorated yellow mat with flowers and tendrils; fences in foreground and behind the figure, and willow tree beyond; liquid gold detailing to the shawl, sitar and vessel. 152 grams, 31 x 25.2 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Scottish private collection.

Carved in the half-round head of a Bodhisattva (probably Maitreya) with fine detailing to the arched brow, aquiline nose, neat moustache and full lips; the eyes heavily lidded, urna to the forehead, long open lobes to the ears; the hair in multi-stranded curling locks gathered into an ushnisha with brow-band below; heavily cleaned, conserved, and mounted on a custom-made stand; supplied with original old wooden base with collector's label: 'Head of Bodhisattva / Fine grain schist / Gandhara, Northwest Pakistan / 4th century'. 14.3 kg total, 34 cm high



From the private collection of Richard Kelton (1929-2019), California, USA, acquired in November 1982, thence by descent. with Abell Auctions, 25 September 2022, no.422 (£25,000) Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12309-222166.

Modelled in the round with serene expression, heavily-lidded eyes, long lobed ears; wavy hair piled above in an ushnisha top-knot; mounted on a custom-made stand. 268 grams total, 92 mm including stand



Acquired in the London art market. Private collection, 1970s.