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Asian Art :
Gandharan Artefacts : Gandharan Terracotta Buddha Head
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Gandharan Terracotta Buddha Head - AM.0218
Origin: Central Asia
Circa: 100
AD
to 600
AD
Dimensions:
6" (15.2cm) high
Collection: Asian Art
Medium: Terracotta
£7,500.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
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According to tradition Buddhism was first
introduced into the Gandharan region under the
patronage of Asoka, emperor of the Mauryan
dynasty, in the third century B.C. The first
significant physical remains to survive, including
stupas and figurative sculpture, date from the
first century B.C. Between c.100-600 A.D.
sculptors working in schist, terracotta and stucco
produced an astonishing number and variety of
Buddhist images. Gandhara was situated at the
crossroads between east and west and thus came
under a wide variety of artistic influences,
including Persian, Greek and Indian. It also
became an important pilgrimage site for
Buddhists from across Asia as it was claimed that
events from the Buddha’s former lives had
occurred in the area.
This elegant Buddha head is modelled from
terracotta. The hair is arranged in a top-knot,
the Gandharan version of the ushnisha, a symbol
of spiritual wisdom. The small protrusion on the
forehead is an urna, or third eye, a mark of
religious enlightenment. The elongated earlobes,
damaged slightly on the right, are a reference to
the former wealth of the historical Buddha. The
elongation was caused by wearing heavy and
ornate earrings. The mouth and aqualine nose
reveal a debt to Greek models but the stylised
almond shaped eyes are typical of images of the
Buddha from across Asia. This merging of such
diverse styles and traditions is what makes
Gandharan art so unique and fascinating.
- (AM.0218)
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