Bidspirit auction | GANDHARAN STONE PANEL DEPICTING THE

GANDHARAN STONE PANEL DEPICTING THE DRUNKEN HERACLES - Ca. AD 200 - 300. A schist stone panel carved in deep relief, depicting a lively Hellenistic-inspired scene: a muscular, bearded Heracles (Vajrap??i in Buddhist adaptation) stands at centre, supported by two attendants as he staggers in a drunken state. Above Heracles are hanging grape bunches. The blending of classical Greco-Roman motifs with Buddhist architectural sculpture is a hallmark of Gandharan art. The drunken Heracles theme derives from Dionysian imagery, which entered Gandhara through Hellenistic influence.Size: 410mm x 230mm; Weight: 9.73kgProvenance: From a professional UK collection of Asian and Himalayan art; previously with a London gallery, ex. A.H. collection; formerly acquired in France between 1980 and 2005.This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.