Central Asia, Northwest Pakistan, ancient region of Gandhara, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A striking painted stucco head of a bodhisattva or prince, his attractive visage finely modeled with elegant contours, closed full lips, a philtrum above, somewhat downcast eyes, arched brows leading to an aquiline nose, long earlobes, and a wavy coiffure that is adorned by a headband above a fringe of black scalloped bangs. The head is further embellished with red pigment on the lips and eyes, yellow pigment on the headband, white pigment on the skin, and black pigment on the hair. Size: 5.75" H (14.6 cm); 6.875" H (17.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Bodhisattvas are among the most compassionate beings in the universe, devoting themselves to saving the suffering and helping others achieve enlightenment and Buddhahood. Traditionally depicted as less austere than Buddhas with graceful postures and elegant garments, a nod to the riches of the Northwestern Chinese Silk Road, this piece is no exception. Bodhisattvas or Guanyin are associated with compassion and mercy - their long ears significant, because they rescues all human beings by hearing their cries for help and the sounds of suffering.

Gandharans are famous for schist and stucco carvings, with stucco replacing schist as the dominant material around the 3rd century CE. Vast monastic institutions like those at Takht-i-Bahi, Sahri-Bahlol, Jamal Garhi, Ranigat, and Thareli were decorated by skilled artisans with stucco representations of important figures, religious scenes, and artistic dedications. Stucco allowed artists more freedom in portraying lifelike features, as shown in the gentle curve of the brow here. During this time, Gandhara was exceptionally wealthy, profiting from trade along the Silk Road; patrons had resources to spend on the arts, creating a flowering of stucco artwork. Some monumental statues had stucco hands, feet, and heads alongside clay torsos - the size of these figures was such that clay was needed to maintain their form.

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000.

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#159046

A fragment from a larger composition. Repaired from several pieces with visible break lines. Losses to nose, ears, neckline, and verso as shown. Normal surface wear with nicks/chips to brows, cheeks, and other high-pointed areas. Nice remaining red, yellow, white, and black pigment on the hair, hairband, lips, eyes, and face.