grey schist,
Gandhara, 2nd to 3rd century,
Size:
The sculptors of Gandhara were among the first to give the historical Shakyamuni Buddha a human shape.
Trademarks of the Gandhara style can be seen here: wavy hair, open eyes, the Greek profile and a pronounced mouth. The oval shape of the head, the curvature of the eyebrows, reminiscant of an Indian bow, the lotus-leaf-like shape of the eyes, as well as the ears – these are from Indian origin.
The Kingdom of Gandhara encompassed what is today the Northwest of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It may therefore be considered the eastern frontier of (our) ancient civilization.