Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 200 BCE to 100 CE. One of the nicest we have seen! A finely carved grey schist head of Buddha, presenting a sensitively modeled face with solemn, half-closed eyes of an elegant almond shape, a long aquiline nose, and a gentle smile. The hair is styled into a large ushnisha. The Buddha's facial planes are veristically contoured, this realistic quality complemented by details such soft 'fleshy' lips and heavy eyelids. A special example of Greco-Buddhist art that demonstrates a strong syncretism between eastern and western traditions. Size: 4.2" W x 7.25" H (10.7 cm x 18.4 cm)

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. In the first century CE, Buddhism became fashionable amongst Gandharan elites, and the art produced at this time depicting the Buddha are some of the most striking Buddhist images from the past. Their artistic tradition also reflects the conquest of Alexander the Great and the introduction of styles from all sides, blended into a uniquely Gandharan tradition, which this Buddha exemplifies. Alexander the Great conquered Gandhara in 330 BCE and with the help of the Indo-Greek kings introduced classical traditions that would influence Gandharan art for the following seven centuries. The stylized wavy Mediterranean hair and top knot that derive from the Apollo Belvedere (330 BCE), as well as the sensitive modeling of the tranquil face displayed on this piece, for example, exhibit this classical influence.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, collected prior 2008

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#157127

A head from a larger composition. Chips to coiffure, ears, face, neckline, and verso, with light encrustations. Great preservation to details on face and coiffure and light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on verso.