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4th Century Gandara Buddha  Head of Buddha, Kushan Period 3rd – 4th Century This elegant sculpture decorated a religious structure during the golden age of Gandhara, the ancient kingdom now known as northwest India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Prior to the reign of King Kanishka (128AD-151AD), Buddha was depicted only with symbolic iconography. During the King’s reign, he promoted Mahayana Buddhism, advanced the arts, depicted Buddha in human form, and created a stylistically unique art form called Hellenistic. This distinctive style fused the Greek, Syrian, Persian, and Indian traditions, and it flourished throughout Asia from the 1st to 5th century. When the Huns conquered Gandhara in the 6th century, they destroyed all Buddha temples, leaving only ruins and statue fragments. The typical Gandhara Buddha exhibited a perfect oval Caucasian face with regular features, almond-shaped and slightly protruding eyes, delicate arched eye brows, a straight nose, beautifully cut lips in a subtle smile, and a domed topknot. The Buddha's half-closed eyes suggest meditation. The Buddha’s predestination from birth is symbolized by the "chignon" of hair wrapped in silk on the dome of the head. The long ear lobes suggest the Buddha’s heavy, rich jewelry. Previous • Back to List • Next |