Grey slate. Gandhara, possibly 2nd – 3rd century
Well-preserved bowl-shaped object, of round form, the rim with lotus border, depicting Maya the mother of Buddha, shown reclining, bejeweled and holding an object in one hand, the other hand resting on the couch that is supported of pillars, a servant is seen next to her.
DIAMETER 12,3 CM
From a Canadian private collection, afterwards collection Sohel Ch., New Delhi - Vienna
Note: For a similar example see "Gandhara Sculpture in the British Museum", Vol. 2, Nr. 127
Lots 186 - 195 offer rare sculptures and reliefs from Gandhara, formerly West India, Pakistan today. Gandhara was a province in the old Greco-Bactrian Empire. The Hellenistic influence arrived there as a result of the campaigns of Alexander the Great. In Gandhara originated the first Buddha depictions in history. They are singular is the integration of Indian and Greco-Roman style – interestingly, the iconography of the depictions of that time have remained unchanged up to present day. Buddha depictions of Gandhara count among the great rarities in the art market.