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Gandharan Stucco Head of a Donor, 4th-5th Century

About the Item

A sublime molded stucco head of a young male donor from the ancient region of Gandhara, 4th-5th century. The youthful nobleman sculpted in an idealized manner, with soft and kind features, a benign expression on his face. He wears a pleated turban wrapped around his head, and gazes outwards in a beatific manner from almond shaped eyes, a gentle smile on his lips. Remnants of pigments to the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Gandharan temples and monuments were often financed by wealthy nobles in the region. As a way to show gratitude, temples would often incorporate images of their donors into niches and depictions of stories of the Buddha. Mounted on a custom black metal stand. Height of head only: 8" The kingdom of Gandhara was a crossroads of cultures, being one of the last remnants of Alexander the Great's Empire, the inhabitants of the Greco-Bactrian Buddhist kingdom preserved Greek culture and heritage for centuries after the decline of the Greek Empire. During that time, they also absorbed the cultures and traditions of the Indo-Parthians whose land they inhabited, creating a unique blend of Eastern and Western art.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Style:
    Hellenistic (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Stucco,Cold-Painted,Hand-Crafted
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    4th-5th Century
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Repairs and restorations as expected. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. A fragment of a larger image. In good condition for its age, with repairs and restorations as expected. Some original pigment remaining.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894712239113
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