2nd-3rd century AD. A carved schist figure of a bodhisattva standing on a rectangular base with lotus-flower nimbus, draped garment, swag of beads to the chest, carefully dressed hair with curls above the temples and braid to the crown of the head, coils to the ushnisha; base with seated Buddha and flanking attendants. 32.9 kg, 62cm (24 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. Fine condition.