Brief Introduction to Gandharan Art from the 1st-5th Centuries AD.

iconography to create a recognisably Indian hybrid. Probably using artists imported initially from west Asia. By the end of the 1st century these aesthetic traditions had developed into a recognisable Gandharan style. Sculpture in stone, usually Schist, are considered to predate those made from Stucco although both materials were used from an early date. Gandharan artists were concerned with the naturalistic modelling and the rendering of garments and embellishment in realistic detail compared with the closely related school of Mathura 800km to the south east in present day India, whose main medium was the much softer Red sandstone.

Alexander the Greats expedition into India in 330-325BC was an influential factor on the introduction of Hellenism into the region. Few traces remain of this early Hellenistic civilisation due to continual invasions throughout this time. Gandhara probably flourished under the united banner of Buddhism helped by kings such as Asoka showing a great tolerance and interest this religion.

Gandhara occupied a large area of what today are North West India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, traversed by ancient roads linking India with China, Tibet and West Asia. The dominant characteristics of this school were Hellenistic and strongly related to Asian provinces of the Roman Empire. This Area was the Eastern most region of the ancient world influenced by classical aesthetics, and the first to portray the Buddha in human form, until this time only symbolic iconography was used to symbolise the enlightened one.

These Gandharan relief fragments offered for sale by 'Gandhara', were probably part of larger reliefs that decorated a stupa or other Buddhist religious structures.
All Gandharan sculpture sold here is professionally mounted on custom made stands. Due to age Gandharan sculpture has unavoidable chips in some areas, erosion and sometimes soil encrustation, these thing are clearly stated within the item description.

All our pieces are Guaranteed authentic works of art dating from the Gandhara period
1st - 5th Centuries AD.