Gandhara Grey Schist Standing Bodhisattva with Halo Slab, Abhaya Gesture and Relief Base Frieze, Kushan-Era Style 82cm Monumental Stone Sculpture (Antique, 100+ Years)

Monumental Gandhara Standing Bodhisattva in Grey Schist

A standing Bodhisattva carved in cool grey schist, this sculpture carries the unmistakable Gandhara vocabulary: noble calm, disciplined anatomy, and drapery that behaves like architecture. At 82 cm tall, it reads as a true anchor work—museum-scale for a private collection, and instantly legible from across a room.

The face is the first statement. The eyelids are lowered with restraint; the features are modeled cleanly; and the moustache introduces a worldly gravity that Gandhara artists used to bridge the sacred with the human. This is not theatrical divinity. It is awakened authority presented as lived-in clarity.

The right hand rises in the open-palm gesture of reassurance (often read as the “fear-not” gesture). The gesture is calm strength: it protects without aggression and steadies the viewer before it instructs. The left hand holds a small vessel-form attribute, a feature frequently associated with Maitreya-type Bodhisattva imagery in Gandhara traditions. Exact naming can vary by workshop and scholarly convention, so the most correct collecting label is “standing Bodhisattva, vessel-bearing” with a probable Maitreya-type reading (see Confidence & Verification Notes).

The robe folds cascade in deep, rhythmic bands—one of the great achievements of the Gandhara school. Here, drapery is not decoration; it is structure. It teaches steadiness through repeated cadence, and it frames the torso as a composed pillar rather than a moving body. Ornaments and cords across the chest acknowledge compassionate engagement with the world, but they never overpower the vow-like stillness of the figure.

Behind the head, the halo slab adds a second layer of authority: a clean, circular field that isolates the face and makes the presence readable at distance. At the base, the relief frieze introduces a narrative register—figures arranged like a condensed teaching band. Even if you do not decode every motif, the message is clear: this Bodhisattva stands supported by vow, community, and story.

For a Japan-based collection, this is a root-image that expands the frame from “Buddhism in Japan” into “Buddhism before national styles.” Gandhara art belongs to a Silk Road formation associated primarily with regions of present-day Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. Collected and displayed in Japan, it becomes a historical anchor—an early dialect of form that later transforms across Asia, while keeping its universal grammar of compassion and protection.

Condition is consistent with antique stone medium and age. The frontal carving retains strong silhouette and modeling; minor surface variations, edge softness, and weathering should be understood as part of the object’s long biography rather than modern damage. In-hand examination and comparative study are recommended for workshop-specific attribution, dating refinement, and attribute identification.

Key Facts

• Object type: Stone Buddhist figure (standing Bodhisattva, vessel-bearing; Maitreya-type attribution probable)
• Material: Grey schist (Gandhara stone)
• Dimensions: Height 82 cm (other dimensions not stated; estimated Width ~32 cm, Depth ~18 cm)
• Period: Gandhara / Kushan-era style (antique; 100+ years; see Confidence & Verification Notes)
• Customs: HS Code: 9706.00 | Country of Origin: Pakistan (Gandhara region, ancient)

Collector Relevance

A rare scale-and-legibility piece: the halo slab, strong silhouette, and protective gesture make it readable across cultures and interiors. Ideal for collectors building a cross-Asia Buddhism timeline, institutions seeking a teaching object, or serious spaces where one sculpture must carry the room without noise.

Collector’s Resonance

For the collector who prefers quiet authority to drama. For those who want early form-language—the moment where the sacred is carved human enough to be trusted. If you collect to understand, this is the kind of object that becomes your reference point.

Who Is This Deity?

• Bodhisattva: A being committed to awakening who remains available to assist others; often portrayed with ornaments to signify compassionate engagement with the world.
• Maitreya-type (probable): In Gandhara traditions, a vessel attribute is often linked to Maitreya imagery; exact identification varies by workshop and scholarly convention.
• Abhaya gesture (fear-not): Open palm gesture of protection and reassurance—calm strength expressed as posture.
• Gandhara tradition: A Buddhist art tradition formed at a crossroads of cultures; known for naturalistic modeling, deep drapery folds, and a distinctive noble calm in faces.

Explore the Library

• Buddhist Statues & Sacred Art (Pillar)
• Bodhisattva Guide (Subpillar)
• Gandhara Buddhist Art (Subpillar)

Shipping & Logistics

• Customs: HS Code: 9706.00 | Country of Origin: Pakistan (Gandhara region, ancient)

Freight / Cargo option (30 kg+ packaged weight): Because the safe packaged weight exceeds 30 kg, carrier acceptance and destination limits may require freight-class service. 

Confidence & Verification Notes

Gandhara dating and deity identification can vary by workshop and scholarly convention. This figure is best cataloged as a standing Bodhisattva in grey schist with a vessel attribute, supporting a Maitreya-type reading. Exact naming, workshop attribution, and tighter dating should be treated as probable without in-hand examination, comparative references, and material study.

Return to the parent collection: Buddhist Statues & Sacred Art

Explore the Collection

To browse related sacred works and Buddhist articles curated under the same standards, explore our Buddhist Statues & Sacred Art collection.

Authenticity & Stewardship

Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:

• Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
• Iconographic and stylistic verification
• Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
• Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation

Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.

A Note on Stewardship and Collecting

At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.

Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.

Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration

Some sacred works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.

If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.

Concierge Support & Collector Guidance

Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.

For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.

Collector support: If you’re building a cross-Asia Buddhism timeline, we can recommend complementary pieces and reading paths inside the library pages above.

Before Proceeding

We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.

Cargo Shipping & Handling Notice

Due to the final packaged weight and/or dimensional requirements of this piece, standard parcel services such as Japan Post EMS, DHL, FedEx, or UPS are not applicable. This item will be shipped via cargo or freight-based shipping methods.

Cargo shipments require additional preparation time to ensure proper handling, which may include custom crating, reinforced packing, coordination with domestic logistics providers, and scheduling with international freight consolidators and export brokers. As a result, estimated delivery timelines typically range from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on routing, carrier availability, and customs clearance procedures in the destination country.

Please note that actual shipping costs may differ from automated shipping calculator estimates. By default, a portion of the expected shipping cost may be reflected in the listing price. Any difference or discrepancy will be quoted separately once destination, delivery method, and handling requirements are confirmed.

We kindly ask that collectors contact us prior to purchase to request an exact, customized shipping quotation for their destination. This ensures full transparency and allows us to arrange the most appropriate, secure, and efficient shipping solution for this piece.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we take the necessary care to deliver this work safely.

A Closing Note

Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Buddhist statues, sacred art, and spiritual artifacts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.

If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.

Curatorial note: Museum-grade objects benefit from thoughtful placement, stable climate, and professional handling on arrival. For institutional documentation requests or display planning, contact us for a clean object summary suitable for registrars.