Auction Alert: Rare Buddha Sculpture Goes on the Block

A 9th century schist sculpture of Buddha, a 10th century stone Surya head from the early Chola period and miniature paintings from Mughal & Rajasthani schools are up for auction at Saffronart's Indian Antiques and Miniature paintings auction next week.

The auction is hosted by antique dealer Collectibles Antiques and all 55 lots are registered with the Archaeological Survey of India and accompanied by a certificate listing their provenance.

One of the most notable antiques on sale is the 9th century schist sculpture of Buddha, from Nalanda, depicting his first sermon. Created during the early reign of the Pala dynasty, the sculpture represents the most important event in Buddha's, as it shows the sermon he gave upon receiving enlightenment and travelling to Sarnath. There he sat in a deer park and gave his first sermon to a group of five rishis who were his companions during his earlier austerities. He thus set in motion the wheel of law or 'dharma'.  The sculpture is expected to fetch between Rs 8,00,000 to Rs 10,00,000.

Other lots include a Kangra School Nayaka painting of Krishna yearning for his beloved from (1780-1790), and a large and intricately detailed 19th century Mughal School portrait of Humayun.

The auction will take place online on April 25-26, 2012 on Saffronart.com