Bodhisattva head

Description

This head is emblematic of Gandhārian art; this region, which encompasses north-eastern Afghanistan and north-western Pakistan, benefited from an exceptional blend of diverse cultures: the conquests of Alexander the Great allowed Hellenistic production to mix with Indian and Oriental influences, resulting in the production of a syncretic art. So here we find the finesse of Hellenistic sculpture blended with the classical iconography of Buddhist art.

Here, in fact, we see the characteristic attributes of the bodhisattva: a headband richly adorned with pearls holds the heavy wavy locks of the headdress, and a fine moustache surmounts his elegantly sculpted lips. The expression on his face is serene, emanating the fullness characteristic of bodhisattvas, compassionate beings who delay their enlightenment in order to help their fellow human beings.

This is a beautifully crafted sculpture: the stone is fine-grained, with soft lines. It is remarkably large and well preserved. Particular attention has been paid to the treatment of the eyes and the headdress, which is full of detail.

Provenance :  American private collection.