Head of a Bodhisattva

Object Details

Provenance

?-at least after 1951

H. Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York, NY, method of acquisition unknown [1]

At least after 1951-1966

Kevorkian Foundation (established 1951), New York, NY, transferred from H. Kevorkian in New York, NY [2]

1966

Sale, New York, NY, Parke-Bernet Galleries, “Indian, Siamese, and Chinese Sculpture,” November 4, 1966, lot 82 [3]

1966-1968

J. T. Tai & Company, New York, NY, purchased at November 4, 1966, Parke-Bernet Galleries Sale, New York, NY [4]

1968-1987

Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), purchased from J. T. Tai & Company in New York, NY [5]

From 1987

National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler [6]

Notes:

[1] See Parke-Bernet Galleries, “Indian, Siamese, and Chinese Sculpture […] Property of the Kevorkian Foundation New York […]” [auction catalogue], (New York, NY: Parke-Bernet, November 4-5, 1966), lot 82. Object is described as, “Gandhara (Graeco-Buddhist) Stucco Head of a Buddha [/] 2nd-4th century [/] Large head of Buddha, with long flowing hair held by a transverse headband of circular motives. Height 21 inches.”

Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962) was a dealer and collector of Islamic Art with eponymous galleries in New York and Paris.

Kevorkian Foundation (established 1951) was established by Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962) with the purpose of “giving to promote interest in Near and Middle Eastern art through exhibitions and fellowships administered by the recipient institutions for research and study in this field.” Once established, Mr. Kevorkian began to transfer objects from his gallery’s stocks to the Foundation. Later, some objects from Mr. Kevorkian’s personal collection and his estate were also transferred to the Foundation. These objects were subsequently liquidated by the Foundation through private sales and public auctions, possibly as a means to generate funds to support their philanthropic purpose.

[2] See note 1.

[3] See note 1.

[4] See J. T. Tai & Co., Inc., “Stock Record,” number YT-5372, copy in object file. The stock record indicates that this object had been purchased at the Parke-Bernet Galleries sale on November 4, 1966, and it was subsequently sold to Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on December 21, 1968.

Tai Jun Tsei, known as J. T. Tai (1911-1992), was an incredibly important dealer in Chinese antiquities whose influence shaped American collections of Chinese art throughout the second half of the twentieth century. He began his career in China, and in early 1950 he and his wife Pingying Tai (1915-1998) emigrated to New York City with the help of C. T. Loo (1880-1957). Tai established himself as an independent dealer and opened the first of several galleries at 810 Madison Avenue by the autumn of 1950.

[5] See note 4. Dr. Arthur M. Sackler was a physician, medical publisher, pharmaceutical marketer, and collector of Asian art.

[6] Pursuant to the agreement between Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987. The object is part of the museum’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection.

Research updated July 22, 2024

Collection

Arthur M. Sackler Collection

Exhibition History

Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)

Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (May 4, 1988 to July 9, 2017)

Previous custodian or owner

Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962)

Kevorkian Foundation (established 1951)

J. T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)

Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

Credit Line

Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

3rd-5th century

Accession Number

S1987.951

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Stucco with traces of pigment

Dimensions

H x W x D: 53 x 36.8 x 33.6 cm (20 7/8 x 14 1/2 x 13 1/4 in)

Origin

Afghanistan

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

See more items in

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Topic

Buddhism

bodhisattva

Afghanistan

South Asian and Himalayan Art

Record ID

fsg_S1987.951

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye35fdfbe8d-c147-4b2b-9791-c5e8994214d4