A BLACK SCHIST STELE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, PALA PERIOD Northeastern India, Bihar, 10th century. Well carved seated in dhyanasana on a double lotus base, supported on a stepped pedestal adorned with numerous smaller figures, the palm of the hand and soles of the feet with neatly incised circles. Buddha's face with a benign expression and almond shaped eyes, the hair in tight curls surmounted by an ushnisha, wearing a sanghati draped over one shoulder, flanked by two pillars surmounted by stupas centering a nimbus with a stylized foliate border.

Provenance: The personal collection of Arturo Schwarz, Milan, late 1990s. Leonardo Vigorelli, Bergamo, acquired from the above. Arturo Schwarz (1924-2021) was an Italian scholar, art historian, poet, writer, lecturer, art consultant and curator of international exhibitions. He lived in Milan, where he amassed a large collection of Dada and Surrealist art, including many works by personal friends such as Marcel Duchamp, André Breton, Man Ray, and Jean Arp. In 1975, Schwarz started working as curator and author, writing extensive publications on the work of Marcel Duchamp, as well as books and numerous essays on the Kabbalah, Tantrism, alchemy, prehistoric and tribal art, and Asian art and philosophy. His 1977 book on Man Ray's works and life was the first to reveal Ray's real name. Leonardo Vigorelli is a retired Italian art dealer and noted collector, specializing in African and ancient Hindu-Buddhist art. After studying anthropology and decades of travel as well as extensive field research in India, the Himalayan region, Southeast Asia, and Africa, he founded the Dalton Somaré art gallery in Milan, Italy, which today is being run by his two sons.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, some losses, nicks and surface scratches, structural cracks. The finely polished surface with a solid, naturally grown patina and an unctuous feel overall.

Dimensions: Height 61.2 cm (excl. base) and 64.2 cm (incl. base)

Mounted to a modern metal base. (2)

Literature comparison:
Compare a related stone figure of Buddha, 10^th century, Bihar, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1942,0415.1.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 13 September 2011, lot 268
Price: USD 86,500 or approx. EUR 111,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A black stone stele of seated Buddha, Northeastern India, Pala period, circa 10^th century
Expert remark: Note the related size (63.5 cm)

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams New York, 20 March 2018, lot 3224
Price: USD 250,000 or approx. EUR 290,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A blackstone stele of crowned Buddha, Bihar, Pala period, 10th century
Expert remark: Note the size (45 cm)

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Paris, 22 June 2016, lot 11
Price: EUR 71,100 or approx. EUR 83,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare sedimentary stone stele of Shakyamuni Buddha, Northeast India, Pala Period, 10th century
Expert remark: Note the size (31 cm)