A TRIANGULAR RELIEF CARVING WITH A ROOSTER
PROPERTY FROM THE MOITA COLLECTION OF GANDHARA ART
Ancient region of Gandhara, 2nd - 3rd century

Of triangular shape, the sides flattened, the centre deeply carved and showcasing a rooster, with a tall feathery tail and thick plumage to its chest, mounted on a later wooden pedestal, approximately 23cm x 26cm excluding the pedestal.

In Gandharan art, triangular stone carvings such as this and the previous lot would have decorated the space fitting in between one step and the other on a stupa's staircase. They often depict either scenes from the historical Buddha's life or auspicious creatures and semi-divine beings. For further examples, please see Gandhara and Silk Road Arts: The Hirayama Ikuo Collection, Japan, 2000, cat. 153, and Kurt Behrendt, The Art of Gandhara in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2007, cat. 27.