AN INDIAN RED SANDSTONE TORSO OF AVALOKITESHVARA... Lot 410

AN INDIAN RED SANDSTONE TORSO OF AVALOKITESHVARA 2ND/3RD CENTURY The Bodhisattva's muscular torso adorned with elaborate jewellery, with an upavita across his chest, his left arm with a band carved with a winged figure riding a mythical beast, with remains of an aureola on his upper back, all raised on a later wooden base, 50cm. Provenance: formerly a Swiss private collection acquired between 1945 and 1975, by repute from the collection of Werner Coninx (1911-1980); and then Christie's Amsterdam, 20th-21st November 2007, lot 529; and then the collection of Mr Richard Nathanson (d.2018), London, purchased from Jonathan Tucker Antonia Tozer Asian Art on 2nd May 2008. A copy of the invoice is available. Cf. S J Czuma, Kushan Sculpture: Images from Early India, cat no.19 for a complete figure in a similar style from the Kronos Collection. 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.