A GRAY SCHIST RELIEF DEPICTING THE BIRTH OF BUDDHA, KUSHAN PERIOD Ancient region of Gandhara, 2^nd-3^rd century. Finely carved with the richly jeweled Queen Maya standing in the center in tribhanga grasping a tree branch with the raised right hand, her left arm around her sister for support, the Buddha with topknot and halo emerging from her side into a swaddling cloth held by Indra.

Provenance: Franco Giubergia, Turin, 1999. French private collection, acquired from the above.
Condition: Condition commensurate with age, still displaying very well. Extensive wear, weathering and erosion, losses, few structural cracks.

Weight: 12.8 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 44.5 cm (excl. stand) and 47 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted to an associated wood stand. (2)

In the birth scene, Queen Maya grasps the branches of the sal tree (shorea robusta) with one hand and her arm around her sister Mahaprajapati. Indra is usually shown holding out fresh linens to catch and swaddle the newborn.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related schist relief depicting the birth of Buddha, 33.3 cm wide, also dated 2^nd-3^rd century, at Christie’s New York in Indian and Southeast Asian Art on 16 September 2014, lot 217, sold for USD 15,000. Compare a related schist relief depicting the birth of Buddha, 23.5 cm wide, also dated 2^nd-3^rd century, at Christie’s New York, 20 March 2012, lot 10, sold for USD 5,000.

貴霜王朝片岩浮雕佛誕場景
健陀羅地區，二至三世紀。細膩雕刻的摩耶王后以三區躰姿勢站在中央，右手舉起抓住樹枝，左臂搭著她的姐姐作為支撐，佛陀帶著頂髻和光環從她的身側鑽出，因陀羅正拿著布匹要接住他。

來源：都林Franco Giubergia，1999年；法國私人收藏，購於上述出處。
品相：與年齡相稱，狀態良好，廣泛磨損、風化和侵蝕、缺損，少量結構裂縫。

重量：總12.8 公斤
尺寸：高44.5 厘米 (不含底座)，總47 厘米

木底座。(2)

拍賣結果比較: 比較一件相近的片岩佛誕場景，寬 33.3 厘米，二至三世紀，見紐約佳士得Indian and Southeast Asian Art 2014年9月16日 lot 217, 售價USD 15,000； 比較一件相近的片岩佛誕場景，寬 23,5 厘米，見紐約佳士得2012年 3月20日 lot 10, 售價USD 5,000。