Ghandaran Head of Buddha

Size

11.5cm(H) x 11cm(W) / 5"(H) x 4"(W)

Item Type

Head

Region

Gandhara, India

Condition

Excellent

Full Description

Ghandaran Head of Buddha

2nd Century BC-2nd Century AD

Grey schist head of Buddha, elaborate coiffure with central shell-shaped emblem surmounting features typical of Gandharan sculpture of the period, finely arched eyebrows, almond shaped half-closed eyes and straight nose. The Gandharan Empire was located in what is now largely occupied by North West India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The art and sculpture of the region that has come to be known as Gandhara combines Hellenistic or Graeco-Roman artistic techniques and modeling with Indian Buddhist iconography to create a recognisably Indian hybrid. By the end of the 1st century these aesthetic traditions had developed into a recognisable Gandharan style. Schist sculpture predate those made from stucco although both materials were used from an early date.

*height incl. stand 14cm.