A SANDSTONE GROUP DEPICTING HARITI AND PANCHIKA

A SANDSTONE GROUP DEPICTING HARITI AND PANCHIKA
India, c. 10
th
century. Finely carved in openwork, the tutelary couple seated side by side and backed by floral halos under a large canopy flanked by two columns, each surmounted by an elephant. Hariti is holding her cornucopia in one hand and wearing a long flowing robe cascading in voluminous folds. Panchika is holding a spear, signaling his role as chief of the Yakshas, and wearing a tight-fitting, short robe. Both are wearing chignons secured by headbands and adorned with beaded jewelry.
Provenance:
A gentleman from Cadiz, Spain. By repute acquired in Orissa, India, in 1967.
Condition:
Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, losses, nicks, scratches, signs of weathering and erosion, structural cracks, encrustations.
Weight: 19.1 kg
Dimensions: Height 43 cm
The story of Hariti's conversion to Buddhism
survives in many ancient Indian and Chinese sources. Despite being a mother to 10,000 children, the ogress Hariti routinely terrorized the Northern Indian city of Rajagrha, devouring its children. After failing to appease, Rajagrha's inhabitants beseeched Buddha to pacify her. Underneath his alms bowl, Buddha hides Hariti's most beloved child from her. This sends Hariti into a frenzy, searching for her missing son. When Buddha finally returns her child, he prompts Hariti to consider the pain she has caused other mothers. Struck by empathy, Hariti converts to Buddhism and, in exchange for food offerings, promises to protect its monastic communities and Rajagrha's children.
Literature comparison:
Compare a Gandharan schist relief depicting the same subject, 18 cm high, in the Ashmolean Museum Oxford, accession number EA1962.42.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Remotely Related
Auction: Christie's, 20 March 2012, lot 11
Price: USD 15,000 or approx.
EUR 19,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gray schist relief of Panchika and Hariti, Gandhara, 2
nd
/3
rd
century
Expert remark: Note that this is an earlier sculpture from Gandhara, depicting the same subject