Central Asia, India, possibly Dharanikota, Amaravati, Junnar, or Prathisthan, Satavahana Dynasty, ca. 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE. A female head, possibly belonging to a Bodhisattva, finely sculpted in high relief from grey stone, quite likely part of an architectural program. Note the meticulous attention to detail, the elaborate coiffure and headwrap, those dreamy eyes beneath an elegant arched browline and billowy lids, the shallowly carved urna or third eye on the forehead, the slender and finely delineated ears, and the overall soft fleshy visage with full lips and a cleft chin. The artist clearly possessed immense skill. The Stavahana rulers made significant contributions to Buddhist art and architecture, building remarkable stupas in the Krishna River Valley such as the stupa at Amaravati in Andra Pradesh as well as the famous Ajanta Caves. Such stupas were decorated with an elaborate iconographical program depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. Such sculptural works were characterized by a slim and elegant style as we see in this example. Throughout their reign, the Satavahanas were aniconic; hence, they denied any human representation of the Buddha. The sculpture of the Stavahana Empire was for the most part architectural with themes of nature and Buddhism prevailing. A rare female head from this royal Indian dynasty. Size: 5.875" W x 6.75" H (14.9 cm x 17.1 cm)

Provenance: Ex- Sarkisian Gallery, Denver, CO, acquired in the 1950's. Displayed, Denver Art Museum, 1960's.

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#112759

A fragment with small chip to headdress, abrasion to the nose and peripheries as shown. Otherwise excellent.