Western Asiatic Stone Amulet Group

The majority displaying standing figures in repoussé to both faces of a lozenge-shaped body; five formed as naked male figures with hands clasped in front of the waist; a single bead formed as a full-bodied figure wearing a headdress, one hand held over the pubic region, which is pierced; sheet-gold over bituminous cores; from a ritual headdress; most complete. 78.32 grams total, 34-43 mm



Acquired 1970s onwards. Private collection of Michael O'Hara, Cambridgeshire, UK. Ex private collection of Benjamin Hyde-Smith, Hertfordshire, UK.

Although the Buddha himself never visited Gandhara, with the passage of time the area became a veritable holy land for his followers. Mahayanism – a liberal and progressive school of Buddhism – flourished in Gandhara and laid emphasis among other things, on the transformation of the Buddha into a great mythological, almost eternal, god, and on the deification of future Buddhas as holding providences. In the visual arts, Buddha was permitted for the first time to be represented in human form.

Carved in the round and given a slender, biconical form; polished; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 9.1 kg total, 80 cm high including stand



with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1969. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11872-206905.

Each formed as a penannular bracelet with balustered body, the finials with stylised snake heads and punched scale decoration. 42.7 grams total, 57-58 mm



Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s.