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lot 10

lot 10

Gandharan Sculpture

Buddha Head

polychrome stucco
height - 9.25 in. (23.5 cm.)
width - 5.75 in. (14.5 cm.)
depth - 6.5 in. (16 cm.)
4th/5th century
North Pakistan

Winning Bid: $ 22,000

Estimate: US$ 20,000 - 30,000

Lot Closed

Lot Details

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Paris
A Thermoluminiscence Analysis is consistent with the dating of this catalogue entry, and the report by Laboratory Ralf Kotalla accompanies the lot.

This Buddha head reflects the typical Gandhara style with a clear hellenistic influence. The elongated earlobes only and the half-shut eyes show the Indian origin and taste.

The intensity of expression, the lengthened shape of eyes (that denote an oriental origin), the elongated earlobes, the circle (urna) in the middle of the forehead, the cranium protuberance (usnisa) are distinguishing characteristics of the Buddha. Furthermore, the sweet faraway look absorbed in deep meditation is typical of Buddhist art.

Face's oval is perfect, eyebrows are gently arching, nose is straight. The face's soft simplicity contrasts and points out the hair, which is treated according to an incisive cutting. Fineness of features is emphasized by the polychrome stucco.

The beautiful aesthetic quality of this head is a fine example of Gandharan stucco sculpture.

Gandharan Sculpture

Gandhara art is unique fusion of styles that are typically seen in Buddhist sculpture of ancient times, between the 1st century BCE and the 7th century CE originating from the Gandhara region of the Indian subcontinent. The style has Greco-Roman influences, and flourished largely during the Kushan dynasty, this school of art evolved a distinct type of Buddha statues, and was also rich in relief sculptures depicting Buddhist legends.