Galerie Golconda

Head of Buddha in dark grey schist, sculpted in the round. This serene Buddha has typical Western facial features and wavy hair that is fastened in an Ushnisha atop the skull. The eyelids are half-closed and lowered as a sign of inner contemplation, the nose is aquiline and lips slightly smiling as a sign of serenity. The back of the sculpture is flat. This head must have been affixed on a low relief at a three-quarter angle, based on the detail of one ear and the hair. Excellent state of preservation. No visible restorations. Small scratches and signs of erosion
The art of Gandhãra was born on Indian soil and served the religious teachings of Buddhism. It appropriated iconographic elements from the religious repertory of Buddha and skilfully combined them with the sculptural techniques imported from Europe by the Greek soldiers of Macedonia and then Bactria, who made up the armies of Alexander the Great. It was during this period that the first human images of Buddha appeared, in accordance with the Greek belief that considered and depicted the Gods as men. This art testifies to the theological evolutions that required new images of devotion to serve as spiritual support.