PRIVATE COLLECTION
Jianguo Ren & Li Zhang’s Private Collection of Gandhara
Private Collection
JIANGUO REN & LI ZHANG
Private Collection of Gandhara
30 Jul - 6 Sep 2025
Ground Floor, 317 Pacific Highway, North Sydney NSW 2060
VIP PREVIEW
30 Jul - 1 Aug 2025
10 am - 6 pm
OPENING & MEET THE ARTIST
Saturday 2 Aug 2025
1 - 3 pm
CATALOGUE
Available soon
The Gandhara Collection: Introduction to Gandhara Art
The Gandhara Kingdom, which thrived from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE, holds a remarkable place in history as a cultural and artistic bridge between East and West. Nestled in a region that today covers parts of northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, Gandhara stood at the heart of the ancient Silk Road—an essential artery of commerce and cultural exchange that connected the Hellenistic world, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
The Gandhara Kingdom, which thrived from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE, holds a remarkable place in history as a cultural and artistic bridge between East and West. Nestled in a region that today covers parts of northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, Gandhara stood at the heart of the ancient Silk Road—an essential artery of commerce and cultural exchange that connected the Hellenistic world, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
It was within this unique setting that Gandharan art flourished, reaching its height under the patronage of the Kushan Empire (circa 30–375 CE). The Gandharan art is instantly recognisable for its masterful blend of Greco-Roman realism, Persian detail, and Indian spirituality. Sculptures from this period are particularly admired for their naturalistic drapery, serene and contemplative expressions, and finely carved narrative panels that bring to life episodes from the Buddha’s journey.
The collection presented here was carefully assembled and acquired around the 1960s and 1970s, the collection carries significant historical value and is considered one of the finest private holdings of Gandharan art. Many of its pieces are comparable in quality and importance to those housed in some of the world’s most respected institutions.
The Gandhara Kingdom, which thrived from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE, holds a remarkable place in history as a cultural and artistic bridge between East and West. Nestled in a region that today covers parts of northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, Gandhara stood at the heart of the ancient Silk Road—an essential artery of commerce and cultural exchange that connected the Hellenistic world, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
It was within this unique setting that Gandharan art flourished, reaching its height under the patronage of the Kushan Empire (circa 30–375 CE). The Gandharan art is instantly recognisable for its masterful blend of Greco-Roman realism, Persian detail, and Indian spirituality. Sculptures from this period are particularly admired for their naturalistic drapery, serene and contemplative expressions, and finely carved narrative panels that bring to life episodes from the Buddha’s journey.
The collection presented here was carefully assembled and acquired around the 1960s and 1970s, the collection carries significant historical value and is considered one of the finest private holdings of Gandharan art. Many of its pieces are comparable in quality and importance to those housed in some of the world’s most respected institutions.
These exceptional pieces not only capture the artistic excellence of Gandhara but also reflect the spirit of cultural exchange that defined the ancient world. They offer us a rare and intimate window into a time when borders were fluid, ideas travelled freely, and art flourished at the intersection of great civilizations.
Large Gandharan Figure of Seated Buddha
1st to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom
Schist
1st to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom
Schist
72 x 47 x 17.5 cm
Nicely carved schist figure of the Buddha, seated on a throne of five lotus flowers, covering
whole body by wearing a large robe called sanghati. Both plams are folded in front of the lap, representing the forgetting of the material world in ultimate concentration in buddhist teaching called Dhyana Mudra.
Monumental Gandhara Bodhisattva Head of Prince Siddhartha
3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom, Kushan School
Schist
47 x 27 x 18 cm
Very finely carved schist sculpture with serene features of a young prince—very lifeful facial expression, wide forehead, almond-shaped eyes, and hair elegantly tied on top of the head with a jewel band headdress. A very nice representation of a royal life without worry, as in Gandhara culture Prince Siddhartha or Bodhisattva Maitreya represents the Buddha’s transition from a righteous royal prince to an enlightened being.
In the later phase of the Kushan period, Gandhara sculptors tended to create larger-than-life portrayals of Buddha/Bodhisattva figures. This particular head must have been part of a figure at least 8–10 feet high.
Gandhara Schist Figure of Seated Buddha
2nd to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom, Kushan Dynasty
Schist
59 x 40 x 13 cm
Expressively carved schist figure of the seated Buddha in Dhyanasana, with a very calm facial expression, performing the miracle of Sravasti by having flames coming from his shoulders and two protectors holding parasols on each side. The Buddha is seated on a downward lotus on the base, depicting the scene of four devotees around a fire temple.
After the Buddha achieved enlightenment, there was resentment from heretic schools, and the Buddha was challenged by heretic teachers and villagers to prove his enlightenment. The Buddha performs various miracles. This particular bust represents the miracle in which the Buddha rose into the air, water started gushing from his feet, and at the same time flames issued from his shoulders. The two figures to the left and right of the Buddha’s head are his protectors, the gods Indra and Brahma, carrying parasols.
Gandharan Standing Buddha
2nd to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom, Kushan Dynasty
Schist
68 x 22 x 12 cm
Superbly carved Gandhara sculpture of a standing Buddha with elaborated details, wearing a large sanghati (monk robe) which covers the whole body and clutching a hem of the robe with the left hand. Nice serene facial expression. Standing on the base showing two devotees at a fire altar. Classical example of ancient Gandhara sculpture craftsmanship around the Mardan region (Takh-i-Bahi, Sehri Behlol, etc.).
Exquisite Gandharan Grey Schist Head of Prince Siddhartha (Bodhisattva)
2nd to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom, Kushan School
Grey Schist
37 x 26 x 25 cm
Exquisite Gandharan grey schist head of Prince Siddhartha (Bodhisattva), presenting the Buddha’s previous life as a young and energetic prince. His head bears a complex turban decorated with lion and dragon-like figures. Very serene and lifeful facial expression, wide forehead, almond-shaped eyes, and bow-shaped lips.
In Gandhara culture, Prince Siddhartha or Bodhisattva Maitreya represents the Buddha’s transition from royal to enlightened being.
Gandhara Schist figure of Siddhartha or Thinking Buddha
3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kushan Dynasty
Schist
59 x 33 x 15 cm
Gandhara schist figure of young Prince Siddhartha in a pensive state, which is also called Siddhartha in the First Meditation, where the prince feels sad after learning about the suffering of people—this is the starting point toward the journey to Buddhahood.
Nicely carved young princely figure adorning royal robe and jewelry. Even though he was still a royal figure at this stage, Siddhartha is still considered a holy being and is represented with a nimbus (halo).
A Large Gandharan Gable relief of Buddha and Great Departure
1st to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom
Grey Schist
75 x 37 x 10 cm
Gable relief panel divided into two sections. The upper section of the stupa panel depicts the standing Buddha in Abhaya Mudra (Fearless), a symbol of good intention, protection, and peace. The lower register depicts the scene of the Buddha's life called the Great Departure, when the Buddha leaves the material world to seek enlightenment.
Very Large and Important Gandhara Stupa
2nd to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom, Kushan Dynasty
Schist Stone
105 x 47 x 48 cm
A very large and important Gandhara stupa with Buddha in various asanas, an exceptional specimen of master sculpture craftsmanship in Gandhara culture. A perfect example of Greco-Buddhist (Hellenistic influence) stupa, which represents a Buddhist shrine, or often the reliquary or resting place of the holy ashes of the Buddha.
There are only few examples of stupas of this size and quality that have been recorded, and even fewer in private collections.
Gandhara Sculpture of Standing Bodhisattva Maitreya
2nd to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom, Kushan Dynasty
Grey Schist
64 x 26 x 13 cm
A very finely carved grey schist sculpture of Bodhisattva standing elegantly on a plinth of lotus flowers, with a very calm facial expression, wearing royal princely robe and jewelry, and holding a flask of sacred water in the left hand. The right hand is probably performing Abhaya Mudra.
Gandhara Schist figure of Atlas
2nd to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kushan Dynasty
Schist
41 x 34 x 15 cm
Nicely carved schist figure of Atlas. During the Kushan reign, the Gandhara culture amalgamated and was influenced by many Western variations, especially Greek and Roman, and often depicted intercultural figures like Eros, Atlas, and Poseidon, etc. In many Gandharan relief panels, Atlas is often shown as a figure depicting Vajrapani.
Gandharan Gable Stupa Panel of Buddha
2nd to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom
Schist
35 x 34 x 12 cm
Carved relief panel of lotus flowers gable arch depicting the Buddha in Dhyana Mudra asana.
The Buddha is seated on a raised bench inside an arch decorated with lotus flowers.
Very Important Gandharan Relief Depicting the Birth of Buddha
1st to 3rd Century AD
Grandhara Kingdom
Grey Schist
31.5 x 55 x 8 cm
Very important relief panel depicting the subject of the Birth of the Buddha and the Seven Steps. Queen Maya, the Buddha's mother, stands beneath a Sala-tree holding a branch, symbolising the Lumbini Forest, which is the birthplace of the Buddha.
Very rare and important relief panel.
Very rare and important relief panel.