Sale
5580
Art d'Asie
21 December 2009
Paris
TETE DE BODHISATTVA EN TERRE CUITE
REGION DU GANDHARA, IVEME-VEME SIECLE
Le visage méditatif, les yeux en amande, les paupières coupantes, les sourcils arqués, le nez aquilin, la bouche surmontée d'une petite moustache, le front paré de l'urna, les lobes de boucles, les cheveux pris dans une coiffe formée d'un turban agrémenté de perlages et ornements rattachés à la bouffette centrale, traces de polychromie, socle
Hauteur: 36 cm. (14 in.)
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT payable at 19.6% (5.5% for books) will be added to the buyer’s premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis
From a French private collection
The result of the CIRAM thermoluminescence test no. 1108-OA-258B is consistent with the dating of this lot.
From about the fourth to fifth century the Buddhist tradition of the Gandhara region underwent great changes. This period can be seen as one of growing prosperity and as consequence a large demand for Buddhist monasteries that had to be attached and filled with many sacred images. Due to this strong demand, the production of terracotta, baked clay and stucco images was booming, especially as these media were easier and cheaper to work with than schist. However due to its perishable character not that many have survived to our days. Therefore this large and beautiful bodhisattva head is a fine testimony of this specific art tradition.
A POLYCHROMED TERRACOTTA HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA
GANDHARA REGION, 4TH/5TH CENTURY