Pakistan - Gandhara Region, 2nd - 3rd Century Ad, Representation Of A Winged Atlantean

Pakistan / Gandhara region
2nd-3rd century AD
Gray schist
Off stand: 18 x 12.8 cm
Visible accidents and losses
Private collection

Representation in schist of an Atlantean with outstretched wings, the latter shown seated, wearing a simple loincloth. The character with head raised to the left and arms raised, presents a protruding musculature with a powerful chest and limbs swollen by the effort. This position tells us that we would probably be here in the presence of a bas-relief where the character would symbolically support a representation of the Buddha.

At the crossroads of the civilizations of Iran, the Greek world, India and nomadic civilizations, Gandhara constituted for sixteen centuries an almost obligatory route of passage for the caravans which linked the West to China. A Hellenistic background maintained by the trade in luxury products exported from the Mediterranean basin, mixes with Parthian and Indian influences for the benefit of Buddhist iconography of great sensitivity.