Indus Valley Terracotta Vessel with Geometric Designs

Modelled with fine facial features, arched brows, long earlobes; mounted on a custom-made stand. 266 grams total, 86 mm including stand



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

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.

Including a trumpet-shaped funnel, a squat jar with painted concentric circles to the shoulder and a vessel with flared rim and triangular hood with applied ropework decoration. 680 grams total 9.3-11.1 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.