**Originally Listed At $500**

Central Asia, Afghanistan, Gandhara, ca. 500 BCE. An impressive mold-made stucco Buddha head presenting as the epitome of tranquility with an arched brow, heavy-lidded eyes, a wide nose, and bowed lips in a gentle grin. An ushnisha sits atop his calming visage, carefully incised with undulating striations to represent strands of hair and pulled back to reveal an elegant widow's peak. His earlobes hang at nearly chin-height, elongated from before he cast off his earthly possessions when he would adorn them with lavish jewels. This technique shows stylistic affinities with the early stucco production from Gandharan sites, particularly Taxila. A special example of Greco-Buddhist art that demonstrates a strong syncretism between eastern and western traditions. Enveloped in a hue of creamy beige, this lovely piece is an excellent example of Gandharan culture. Size: 1.75" L x 2" W x 2.375" H (4.4 cm x 5.1 cm x 6 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Hirsch collection, Germany; acquired before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#141262

Fragment of a larger piece with barely discernable repairs to nasal bridge, eyes, face, neck, ears, and hair. Expected surface wear with abrasions to verso and light softening of detail. Otherwise, very nice.