A Gandharan rectangular relief panel in grey schist stone depicting a female devotional figure holding a lotus, part of an architectural frieze from a Buddhist stupa or monastery. Plain reverse. The panel is probably from the Swat Valley and either part of stupa drum frieze, a narrative panel border, or a recess around a niche containing a Buddha. In Buddhist art across India, Gandhara, and Central Asia, the lotus is one of the most important and multilayered symbols. Its meaning is both philosophical and devotional.
Supplied on a purpose-made stand.
 
Gandhara: Circa 2nd-3rd century AD.
 
Very Fine condition.
Length 23.8 cms (9.4 ins).
 
Provenance: Ex Professor Butt collection. Professor Butt established the Zahid Butt Kashmir Museum in Islamabad over a period of thirty-five years. Since childhood he was fascinated by the country of Kashmir, its art, peoples, and natural beauty. Continuing in his father's footsteps, himself an antiques lover and connoisseur, Professor Butt went onto form a vast collection of artworks and publish his travelogue of Kashmir 'Passage to Paradise, A lover in search of beauty'.
 
Gandhara refers both to the Indian-Buddhist iconography which had been influenced by Greek artisans following the invasions of Alexander the Great, which came especially prominent from the time of Kanishka in the 2nd century till approximately the 5th century AD. as well as to the geographical ancient kingdom of Peshawar extending from the Swat valley to the Jalalabad area of Afghanistan.