Object Description
A finely modelled stucco statuette fragment from Gandhara, most likely depicting the head of Buddha Shakyamuni (Śākyamuni), the Buddha who has reached enlightenment and therefore the religious teachings were based on. The Buddha’s face displays idealised, almost Classical features with almond-shaped heavy-lidded eyes, arched browbone and a soft enigmatic smile. He is characterised by a calm expression, reinforcing his majesty and quiet authority. An elongated earlobe serves as a reference to Shakyamuni’s life as a prince, accustomed to wearing heavy jewellery. The Buddha would have originally presented some of the Laksana, the traditional physical signs, which express spiritual perfection in Gandharan art. Examples are the Usnia, the top-knot hairstyle, now damaged but still visible, and possibly the Urna, the dot placed on the forehead between the eyes, now smoothed out in the restoration process. The statuette was likely once part of a large-scale narrative panel modelled in high relief.
Date: Circa 3rd-4th century AD