A KUSHAN SANDSTONE FRAGMENT OF A SEATED BUDDHA... Lot 406

A KUSHAN SANDSTONE FRAGMENT OF A SEATED BUDDHA AND AN INDIAN SANDSTONE FRAGMENT OF PARVATI C.2ND AND C.11TH CENTURY Both carved from red sandstone, the seated Buddha with crossed legs, the torso Rajasthan, wearing elaborate necklaces and with a piece of fabric tied around her bust, each raised on a modern stand, 57cm and 33cm. (2) Provenance: from the collection of Mr Richard Nathanson (d.2018), London. The seated Buddha purchased from Jeremy J Mason Oriental Works of Art on 2nd July 2013. A copy of the invoice is available. Richard Nathanson began his career at Sotheby's in 1966 and was immediately captivated by Impressionist and early 20th century art. He subsequently set up as an independent art advisor in that field, in which he became well respected and known, in particular for his involvement with the work of artists such as Sisley, Modigliani, Rouault, Bonnard and Albert Houthuesen. During his lifelong career in the art world, Richard expanded his expertise across time and space and gathered an extraordinarily eclectic collection of artworks which included classical, medieval, African, Asian and Oceanic pieces as well as folk art, natural forms and early toys. As he learnt more about these cultures and the art they inspired, his profound admiration for them grew, broadening his spiritual and philosophical outlook. He observed the intense affinities between these pieces, sometimes separated by millennia and thousands of miles and was fascinated by the conversations that arose between these various expressions of human experience. Richard felt that art had the ability to give hope and inspiration in the human quest for truth and beauty.