Circa 200-300 AD A remarkable example of Kushan artistry, richly carved in grey schist, combining naturalism of the classical Greek style with the Asian serenity of Buddhist art. He displays a serene expression recalling the compassionate disposition of the bodhisattva, who remains in the mortal realm to help sentient being free themselves from its grip of suffering. The head is finely shaped, the nose in aquiline, an elaborate coiffure that radiates from the top of the head and is fashioned in a loosely parted topknot, he has long curly hair and a moustache. The hair is stylised in such a way as to accentuate his princely status. The bodhisattva is adorned with braided necklace, the forehead is centred by a raised urna. He is backed by a rounded stylised halo. An upper torso fragment of a seated bodhisattva. For a smilar example see Sotheby's: Lot 1, 21st September 2007. Size: L:650mm / W:500mm ; 48kg. Provenance: Property of a London Ancient Art gallery; formerly with H.G. private UK collection; acquired in Japan before 2003; previously in a Japanese collection since the 1960s.