Ca. 200-300 ADA remarkable example of Kushan artistry, richly carved in grey schist, combining naturalism of the classical Greek style with the Asian serenity of Buddhist art. The head is finely shaped, the nose in aquiline, an elaborate coiffure that radiates from the top of the head and is fashioned with a diamond-shaped patterned headband. Stylistically, the attention to the sinuous, wavy Mediterranean hair as well as the sensitive modeling of Hariti's expressive visage both demonstrates a great classical influence. Alexander the Great conquered Gandhara in 330 BC and with the help of the Indo-Greek kings introduced classical traditions that would influence Gandharan art for the following seven centuries. According to Buddhist mythology, Hariti had hundreds, if not thousands of children whom she adored. However, in order to feed them all, she kidnapped and slaughtered other children. The grieving mothers asked Buddha to put an end to Hariti's actions. So the Buddha abducted her youngest son and hid him under his rice bowl. After a desperate search, Hariti appealed to Buddha who explained that her suffering was due to the loss of only one of her hundreds of children. He asked her to imagine the immense suffering of the parents who lost their only children. Upon hearing this, Hariti vowed to be a devout protector of children as well as women in childbirth. In return, the Buddha gifted her with a bodhi which empowered her to counter evil and cure the sick. From that moment on, she ate pomegranates instead of human flesh. Hence, it is customary to see Hariti presenting a pomegranate and/or a cornucopia of plenty. For similar see Christie's, March 20, 2008, lot 330.Size: L:425mm / W:230mm ; 25.85kgProvenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in early 2000s in Belgium; previously in 1970s European collection.