2nd-4th century AD. A schist statue fragment with bust of Buddha with nimbus to the rear of the head, emaciated face with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes, ushishna and urna flanked by stray hanks of hair; mounted on a custom-made stand. 8.4 kg total, 37cm including stand (14 1/2"). Acquired for the ‘Buckingham Collection’ by the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert; the collection formed from the early 1960s to early 1970s; displayed at the major exhibition ‘The Buddha Image: Out of Uddiyana’, Tibet House, 22 West 15th Street, New York, 16 September-20 October 2010, extended to 16 November and again to 7 January 2011; where the collection of one hundred pieces was publicly valued at US$ 15M; this piece was scheduled to be included in an exhibition entitled ‘On the Silk Route; Birth of The Buddha’, to be held in London from November 2012, but sadly his death prevented this; accompanied by copies of several press releases and articles for the exhibition, including Artnet News, This Week in New York, Huffpost and Buddhist Art News, and a copy of the relevant exhibition catalogue page 94. Fine condition.