**Originally Listed At $600**

Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. 1st century CE. A sensitive, peaceful stucco portrayal of the Buddha's face, with enormous eyes that were probably once painted, heavy lids, and a naturalistic nose and mouth. The face is underneath a thick, heart-shaped hairline, while a textured surface above that creates realistic hair. 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. Size: 4.75" H (12.1 cm); 8" H (20.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA, acquired over the last twenty years

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#129796

Head is a fragment, but most of the face is present, with small losses to the back right side (facing) and the nose.