Ancient Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A sensitive, peaceful portrayal of the Buddha's face, with downturned eyes, a slightly crooked nose, full lips formed into a slight smile, and cupped ears. The face is presented underneath a thick, heart-shaped hairline with a coiffure dotted with small indentations representative of hair. The head is capped with a large bulb-shaped ushnisha. The periphery along the verso displays a small area of bright red-orange pigment, suggesting this head was painted at one time with vibrant colors. The Gandharan Empire made itself wealthy in part by controlling lucrative trade along the mountain passes between China in the East and the Near East and Mediterranean in the West; a great deal of this wealth went into local patronage of artisans and art. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 3" W x 4.25" H (7.6 cm x 10.8 cm); 6.5" H (16.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#135342

This head is a fragment from a larger figure or frieze. Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, light fading to some finer features, small nicks to ear lobes, face, ushnisha, and peripheries, with fading to pigmentation. Light earthen deposits throughout.