Head of Buddha Shakyamuni

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Head of Buddha Shakyamuni

Pakistan or Afghanistan, Gandhara region, 4th century
Sculpture
Stucco with traces of paint
26 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 17 7/8 in. (67.95 x 49.53 x 45.4 cm)
The Leo Meyer Collection (50.25)
South and Southeast Asian Art
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

...
This oversize hollow head of Buddha Shakyamuni would have originally measured more than 30 inches tall when its cranial protuberance (ushnisha) emblematic of his omniscience was intact. The head would have been attached to a monumental image of the Buddha, either seated or standing. Such colossal Buddha images, especially made in stucco, are known from various archaeological sites in the Gandhara region of ancient Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Buddha’s heavily-lidded pensive eyes convey his compassion for all sentient beings. His wavy hair is characteristic of Gandharan sculpture (see M.91.90). The head was originally painted (see M.55.1 and M.80.6.4). The head was once in the inventory of the preeminent Parisian art dealer, C. T. Loo (1880-1957).　
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Bibliography

  • Hopkins, Henry T., ed. Illustrated Handbook of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  West Germany:  Bruder Hartmann, 1965.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.1. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1986.