Gandhara stucco Bodhisattva head

Ancient Gandhara region, stucco bodhisattva head, 2nd / 4th century.

• This example of Greco-Buddhist art illustrates the fusion of elegant Greek statuary with Buddhist symbolism. Note the delicate arching of the eyebrows, the almond-shaped, half-closed eyes imbued with serenity, and the finely drawn, hemmed lips. Finally, the bodhisattva’s chignon completes the harmony of the two cultures.
• Provenance: “Asie-Afrique” Gallery circa 1960, Claude de Marteau collection
• Sold with certificate of origin.
• Dimensions (excluding base): H 15 cm x W 10 cm x D 5 cm
• Height on schist base: H 21 cm

Claude de Marteau collection archives: Gandhara stucco Bodhisattva head

The discovery of several vintage photographs depicting various Gandhara works, including this stucco bodhisattva head, is particularly valuable.

A remarkable testament to Greco-Buddhist art, this sculpture embodies the meeting of Hellenistic aesthetics—shaped by the conquests of Alexander the Great and carried on by the Greco-Bactrian and then Indo-Greek kingdoms—and the Buddhist spirituality of Central Asia.

Beyond their documentary and artistic value, these archives confirm this major piece’s long-standing place in the Claude de Marteau collection well before it was dispersed. They also attest to the care with which the works were catalogued and preserved over the decades.

For our clients, this type of documentation is an essential element in a sculpture’s provenance. Few Gandhara works have their journey illustrated by several period photographs, providing especially solid traceability and additional insight into their recent history.

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