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LOT 0445
'The Kelton' Gandharan Head of a Bodhisattva
3RD-6TH CENTURY A.D.
13 3/8 in. (14.3 kg total, 34 cm high).
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'.
ProvenanceFrom 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.
Exhibited at Frieze Masters, London, 2023.
LiteratureCf. Jongeward, D., Buddhist Art of Gandhara in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 2018, items 75, 77, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
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West Central Asian Stamp Seal with Eagle
23rd-20th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Zoomorphic seal with V-shaped handle to the reverse; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stam Seal of Bronze 45.5x38x19 mm. This has the shape of the items depicted, with flat face and flat back with handle of inverted V-shape mounted on it. The design is compartmented but not open-work and is divided into two compartments, one with three projections, the other with two. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The ends of the projections have slight denting, but otherwise the object is in very good condition. Interpretation of the design is difficult, but each section appears to have one head of an eagle and one set of an eagle's tail feathers, as if two eagles are crossed, but there is still a difficulty with the third head. The design is extremely rare.' 20 grams, 45 mm
Ex Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection number R-495, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. -
Gandharan Terracotta Head
2nd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £180
Modelled in the round with narrow profile and thick nose, hair drawn up in a top-knot; mounted on a custom-made stand. 556 grams total, 16.2 cm including stand
Acquired on the London art market. Private collection, 1970s. -
Gandharan Terracotta Head
2nd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
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.
