BUDDHA HEAD

Dark grey schist

The ancient region of Gandhara.

Period: Kushan, 2nd century

Height: 31cm (including base: 50cm)

This head, in darkened, grey schist, is among the most beautiful creations of Gandhara’s art. Heavy, bleak schist is used to here to endow the piece with profundity. Greco-Buddhist art generally stands out on account of its strong, clear sculpting; however, this piece is also noteworthy for the delicacy of the working and for its exceptional condition. This face, which is carved into a beautiful oval, presents the traditional attributes of a Buddha: eyes like tapered almonds, lids half-shut to indicate introspection; elegant eyebrows shaped like swallow’s wings; elongated earlobes concealed by the long, full head of hair which is tied at the bottom with clasps of lions’ heads; the centre of the front is underlined with Uma in relief, and one can make out at the base of the neck a "fold of beauty". The hairstyle is of regular curls at the front and the rest in zigzags and is topped by a high hemispherical chignon symbolising the “ushnisha” in which is sculpted Amida Buddha.

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