A BLACK CHLORITE STELE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI

Description:

North-East India, Pala period, 11th/ 12th cent.
H. 43,5 cm
The stele is sculpted in high relief with Buddha Shakyamuni placed in the center in vajrasana on a lotus base set on a throne, its front carved with a pair of worshippers flanked by a lion to each side, his right hand in bhumisparshamudra while the left is resting on his lap, wearing monastic robe falling down along his body and legs in concentric folds, a section is draped over his left shoulder in the shape of a swallow’s tail, his face is displaying a serene expression with downcast eyes below arched eyebrows, raised urna, his curled hairdo continuing into the ushnisha, a pair of vidyadhara’s flanking the parasol are placed at the upper register above the horizontal throne strut and flanked by the standing Padmapani and Manjushri.
Old European private collection, according to the present owner assembled in the 1980's - Partly chipped, very minor restoration