Gandhara Grey Schist Seated Bodhisattva Fragment with Draped Torso, Kushan-Era Style Stone Sculpture (Antique, 100+ Years)

Gandhara Seated Bodhisattva Torso Fragment in Grey Schist

This work is not defined by completeness, but by authority. A seated Bodhisattva fragment carved in grey schist, it preserves the Gandhara school’s most important language: disciplined anatomy, architectural drapery, and spiritual restraint. Even without the head and lower body, the presence is unmistakable—calm, weighty, and composed.

The torso is modeled with deliberate mass. The chest expands gently, suggesting breath held in composure rather than motion. Across the body, robe folds descend in structured, rhythmic bands. Gandhara drapery is never ornamental excess; it is visual discipline. Cloth behaves like architecture, reinforcing steadiness and moral gravity through repetition.

The fragment’s power lies in its honesty. This is not a restored fantasy object. It is a surviving section of a once-complete devotional image, carrying the marks of time as historical truth. Surface weathering, softened edges, and textural variation belong to the object’s long biography and should be read as evidence of age rather than loss.

For collectors, fragments like this function differently from complete icons. They invite close study. They reward understanding of sculptural language rather than reliance on narrative attributes. In a scholarly or design-focused interior, such a piece often speaks louder than a reconstructed whole.

Gandhara art occupies a critical position in Buddhist visual history. Formed along the Silk Road, primarily in regions of present-day Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, it represents the moment when Buddhist imagery adopted a fully naturalistic, human-centered vocabulary. Collected in Japan, fragments like this become teaching objects—anchors that explain how later traditions evolved.

Condition is consistent with antique stone medium. Structural integrity of the torso is sound; losses are historical. No modern interventions are assumed without in-hand examination. This fragment is best appreciated as an archaeological survivor and study object.

Key Facts

• Object type: Stone Buddhist sculpture fragment (seated Bodhisattva torso)
• Material: Grey schist (Gandhara stone)
• Dimensions: Height 34 cm (estimated Width ~22 cm, Depth ~14 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

An academic and connoisseurial object: ideal for collectors interested in sculptural language, fragments, and early Buddhist form rather than complete devotional icons. Excellent for study shelves, vitrines, or minimalist interiors.

Collector’s Resonance

For the collector who values authenticity over perfection. For those drawn to archaeology, fragments, and the poetry of survival. If you collect to understand how form speaks even in absence, this fragment belongs in your field of vision.

Who Is This Deity?

• Bodhisattva: A being committed to awakening who remains available to assist others; often portrayed with ornaments and refined drapery.
• Fragment study: A surviving portion of a larger sculpture; valued for material truth, carving language, and historical evidence.
• Gandhara tradition: A Buddhist art tradition known for naturalistic modeling, deep robe folds, and calm authority shaped along the Silk Road.

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)
• Estimated item weight: ~6 kg (stone)
• Safe packaged weight estimate: ~9 kg (double-box + foam bracing + edge guards)
• Estimated packed size: ~45 × 30 × 22 cm (protective clearance included)

Confidence & Verification Notes

Gandhara workshop attribution and tighter dating are best treated as probable without in-hand examination and comparative references. This fragment is most safely cataloged as a seated Bodhisattva torso in grey schist within a Gandhara / Kushan-era style horizon.

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.

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: Fragmentary works are valued for authenticity and study. Minor surface variation and edge softness are consistent with age and material.