Ancient Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan Empire, ca. late 2nd to 4th century CE. An incredibly naturalistic head of an elderly man sculpted by hand from white stucco that has assumed an aged, pale beige hue. The bulbous head exhibits a keen sense of verism created by his thin lidded, almond-shaped eyes, an aquiline nose with delineated nostrils, recessed cheek bones and deep nasolabial folds, full lips with a grooved philtrum, and a prominent chin. Both ears are of a cupped form with elongated lobes that flare slightly outwards from the back of his mandible, and his bald head has a rounded, hemispherical shape. The chipped nature of the verso and neckline suggests that this head was at one time part of a larger figure connected to a tall frieze. An incredible example of early Gandharan figurative artistry! Size: 6.2" W x 6.875" H (15.7 cm x 17.5 cm)
Gandharans are famous for schist and stucco carvings, with stucco replacing schist as the dominant material around the 3rd century CE. Vast monastic institutions like those at Takht-i-Bahi, Sahri-Bahlol, Jamal Garhi, Ranigat, and Thareli were decorated by skilled artisans with stucco representations of important figures, religious scenes, and artistic dedications. Stucco allowed artists more freedom in portraying lifelike features. During this time, Gandhara was exceptionally wealthy, profiting from trade along the Silk Road; patrons had resources to spend on the arts, creating a flowering of stucco artwork. Some monumental statues had stucco hands, feet, and heads alongside clay torsos - the size of these figures was such that clay was needed to maintain their form.
Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000
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#159048
Condition
This head is likely from a larger figure and frieze panel. Repaired from several large pieces, with restoration to areas surrounding both ears, tip of nose, and one area beneath chin, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Several stable fissures along top and verso, with extensive encrustations, chipping to neckline, peripheries, and verso, and light softening to some facial details. Great earthen deposits and nice preservation of stucco.