Ancient Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 1st century CE. An amazing and naturalistic head modeled from plaster from the period of Greco-Buddhist art. The Buddha's head and face are presented with tightly-coiled hair and a kind facial expression with large, downturned eyes. 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. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 3.2" W x 4.75" H (8.1 cm x 12.1 cm); 8.25" H (21 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137695

This is a fragment of a larger figure. Restoration to tip of nose. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, losses to majority of verso, small chips to neck line, and fading to some finer details. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on base.