Sculpted Schist Head - Gandhara - 1st - 3rd Century Ad - Archaeology

High-relief statuette representing a Buddha or Bodhisattva This small sculpture depicts a serene, oval-shaped face, tilted slightly downward and to the right. The eyes, almond-shaped and half-closed, evoke a typical meditative expression. The full lips draw a slight smile, while the nose is straight and well-defined. The hair is wavy, carefully worked and gathered into a voluminous bun towards the back. Curls adorn the temples. A floral diadem or forehead ornament (symbol of nobility or enlightenment) is also present. The ears, small, are either pierced or decorated, as is often the case in representations of Bodhisattvas. Geographic origin: Swat region, Pakistan Provenance: former private collection of Tarn Height: 7.5 cm Width: 6 cm Thickness: 4 cm