Lovely Gandharan Stucco Head of Buddha

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Ancient / Ethnographic / Americana

By Artemis Gallery

Jul 11, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-07-11 10:00:00 2019-07-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic / Americana https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-americana-4246
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• Lot Description
  Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Gandharan, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A petite stuccoed head of the Buddha, depicted nearly in the round, with a wavy coiffure, a generous ushnisha (topknot) as well as a mesmerizing face that is skillfully modeled with elegant features including almond-shaped, downcast eyes, an arched browline showing traces of a hand-painted black outline, leading to an aquiline nose, and full, closed lips. The drama of this visage with its stylized wavy tresses and meditative expression does not discount its naturalism. Notice how skillfully the sculptor rendered the philtrum (vertical groove in midline above the upper lip), the Cupid's bow of the upper lip, the tear troughs between the eyes and nose, the nasal bridge and nostrils, and the contours of the chin. A lovely example with traces of white and red pigment on the surface. Size: 3.125" L x 3" W x 5.125" H (7.9 cm x 7.6 cm x 13 cm); 6.125" H (15.6 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  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 curly Mediterranean hair and top knot derive from classical sculptures such as the Apollo Belvedere (330 BCE), and the sensitive modeling of the expressive visage demonstrates a classical influence as well. The stucco technique of this piece shows stylistic affinities with the early stucco production from Ghandaran sites, particularly Taxila. A rare example of Greco-Buddhist art that demonstrates a strong syncretism between eastern and western traditions.
  
  The head of the Buddha is perhaps the most significant element of the deity as it represents the immense body of knowledge and wisdom of Buddha along with the tranquil nature that emanates from his expression. What's more, in this example the sculptor's adept modeling technique allows for a moving spiritual interpretation as opposed to other comparatively colder, stiffer renderings. A peaceful countenance with a rounded ushnisha symbolizing the wisdom and knowledge acquired after attaining enlightenment, and elongated ears, a physical feature symbolic of the Buddha's time as a prince when he wore elaborate ear ornaments to demonstrate wealth and prosperity. Of course, the prince stopped wearing them when he left the palace to become an ascetic; however, his earlobes remained stretched signifying a conscious decision to reject the material world in exchange for spiritual enlightenment and simultaneously suggest that the Buddha can hear all that is asked for and needed in the earthly world. Those half-closed eyes indicate a meditative state - at once looking both outward and inward. Furthermore, the curled hair of the Buddha signifies the nobility of Buddha. Beyond the multi-layered meaning embodied in the iconography of this piece, the sculptor's artistry and technique is exceptional.
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
  
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  #137668

  Condition

  Losses at neckline. Minute losses to tips of ears. Tiny, nearly invisible nick to tip of nose. Expected surface wear with pigment loss though nice traces remain. Areas of mineral deposits. Not carved on the verso as probably part of a relief.
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