A LARGE GANDHARAN GREY SCHIST HAND OF BUDDHA2ND-5TH CENTURY ADThe stone naturalistically carved as a relaxed open palm, probably originally held upright by a larger figure in a gesture of reassurance, 25.5cm.Provenance: formerly an English private collection; and then the collection of Mr Richard Nathanson (d.2018), London, purchased from Finch & Co on 17th May 2010. A copy of the invoice is available. Richard Nathanson began his career at Sotheby's in 1966 and was immediately captivated by Impressionist and early 20th century art. He subsequently set up as an independent art advisor in that field, in which he became well respected and known, in particular for his involvement with the work of artists such as Sisley, Modigliani, Rouault, Bonnard and Albert Houthuesen. During his lifelong career in the art world, Richard expanded his expertise across time and space and gathered an extraordinarily eclectic collection of artworks which included classical, medieval, African, Asian and Oceanic pieces as well as folk art, natural forms and early toys. As he learnt more about these cultures and the art they inspired, his profound admiration for them grew, broadening his spiritual and philosophical outlook. He observed the intense affinities between these pieces, sometimes separated by millennia and thousands of miles and was fascinated by the conversations that arose between these various expressions of human experience. Richard felt that art had the ability to give hope and inspiration in the human quest for truth and beauty.