Head of the Buddha (Gandhara, 2nd-4th century AD)

A beautiful Gandharan dark grey schist head of the Buddha (12x10x6cm).
The holiness of the Buddha is highlighted by the halo which opens behind the figure’s head. The flat surface on the reverse indicates that the figure was attached to a surface behind, rather than free-standing.The Buddha is modelled in classical Gandharan style and displays several of the characteristic auspicious marks (laksanas) of the Buddha: these include the prominent hair-knot, ushnisha, and the forehead mark, urna.
The figure’s ushnisha is the most important iconographic attribute of a Buddha and represents a physical manifestation of the Buddha’s expanded wisdom gained at the time of his enlightenment. With small mouth, slender nose, crisp, planar intersection of forehead and eyes, and wavy locks of hair, this idealized image of a Buddha bears all the classical features of Greek-inspired Gandharan sculptures. Condition: fine with some signs of aging on the surface and light accretions.
Period: Gandhara, circa 2nd-4th century AD.
Dimensions without stand: 12x10x6cm.