Pakistan, Ancient Gandhara Region, 2nd-3rd Century Ad, Stucco Head Of Buddha

Head of the Buddha Sakyamuni in stucco

Pakistan / Ancient region of Gandhara
2nd – 3rd century AD

The head of the Awakened One has slightly half-open lenticular eyes with heavy eyelids framing an aquiline nose, the latter overhanging a thin mouth with full lips sketching a pinched smile evoking Greek statuary. The hair materialized by a series of parallel incisions forming fine waves, the top of the skull surmounted by the usnisa, the ears with distended lobes recalling the ancient worldly life of the Buddha.

The ancient region of Gandhara, at the crossroads of the civilizations of Iran, the Greek world, India and nomadic civilizations, constituted for sixteen centuries an almost obligatory passageway for the caravans which linked the West to China. A Hellenistic background maintained by the trade in luxury goods exported from the Mediterranean basin, mixes with Parthian and Indian influences to the benefit of a Buddhist iconography of great sensitivity.

Stucco
Surface wear, visible losses and restorations to be noted
21 x 13 cm
From the  collection of Mr L., former ambassador in Pakistan

Contact us: culturesetcivilisations@orange.fr