Head of a Bodhisattva
Sculpture
late 2nd century-3rd century (made)
late 2nd century-3rd century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The fine carving of this head indicates that it belonged to a standing bodhisattva image of very high quality. (Bodhisattva is the name given to one on the path to becoming a buddha.) It has an elaborate headdress, constructed of ribbons and jewels. The central cockade (now missing) originally slotted onto the raised tapering tenon on a disc prominently displayed at the centre of the turban and bejewelled diadem. This probably displayed the attribute identifying the specific bodhisattva this head belonged to.
The beautifully carved head has an auspicious forehead mark (‘urna’) and the wavy moustache much favoured in the Gandharan school of Kushan Buddhist art. The Museum records indicate that this sculpture was ‘found near Peshawar’, in the Gandharan region. The head in not worked fully in the round. This suggests that it was intended to be displayed against a temple structure or in a wall niche.
In Gandharan art, images of the Buddha are often flanked by two attendant bodhisattvas, Maitreya and Avalokitesvara. Bodhisattvas also began to be worshipped as independent deities in this period. They were clearly distinguished from the Buddha by their princely attire.
Scientific analysis has revealed evidence of polychrome over a stucco ground with traces of gilding in the headdress. This confirms the widespread use of polychrome on stone as well as stucco sculptures.
The beautifully carved head has an auspicious forehead mark (‘urna’) and the wavy moustache much favoured in the Gandharan school of Kushan Buddhist art. The Museum records indicate that this sculpture was ‘found near Peshawar’, in the Gandharan region. The head in not worked fully in the round. This suggests that it was intended to be displayed against a temple structure or in a wall niche.
In Gandharan art, images of the Buddha are often flanked by two attendant bodhisattvas, Maitreya and Avalokitesvara. Bodhisattvas also began to be worshipped as independent deities in this period. They were clearly distinguished from the Buddha by their princely attire.
Scientific analysis has revealed evidence of polychrome over a stucco ground with traces of gilding in the headdress. This confirms the widespread use of polychrome on stone as well as stucco sculptures.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Head of a Bodhisattva (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Schist with traces of pigment and gold |
| Brief description | Head of a Bodhisattva, schist, reportedly Peshawar, Gandhara, Pakistan, Late 2nd-3rd century |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by F. St. G. Manners Smith, Esq. C.I.E., East India United Services Club, 16 St. James' Square, S.W.1 |
| Object history | Reportedly found near Peshawar. Given by F. St. G. Manners Smith, Esq. C.I.E., East India United Services Club, 16 St. James' Square, S.W.1. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. R.P. 1919/872 |
| Historical context | Images of the Buddha are often, in Gandharan art, flanked by two attendant bodhisattvas, Maitreya and Avalokitesvara. Bodhisattvas also appear to begin to be worshipped as independent deities. They are distinguished from the Buddha by their princely attire. This head has an elaborate headdress, constructed of ribbons and jewels. The central cockade, now missing, probably displayed the attribute identifying which of the two bodhisattvas this head belonged to. Technical analysis has revealed evidence of polychrome over a stucco ground with traces of gilding above. It appears that many of the stone sculptures of Gandhara were originally richly painted. |
| Production | Reportedly Peshawar, Gandhara, Pakistan |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The fine carving of this head indicates that it belonged to a standing bodhisattva image of very high quality. (Bodhisattva is the name given to one on the path to becoming a buddha.) It has an elaborate headdress, constructed of ribbons and jewels. The central cockade (now missing) originally slotted onto the raised tapering tenon on a disc prominently displayed at the centre of the turban and bejewelled diadem. This probably displayed the attribute identifying the specific bodhisattva this head belonged to. The beautifully carved head has an auspicious forehead mark (‘urna’) and the wavy moustache much favoured in the Gandharan school of Kushan Buddhist art. The Museum records indicate that this sculpture was ‘found near Peshawar’, in the Gandharan region. The head in not worked fully in the round. This suggests that it was intended to be displayed against a temple structure or in a wall niche. In Gandharan art, images of the Buddha are often flanked by two attendant bodhisattvas, Maitreya and Avalokitesvara. Bodhisattvas also began to be worshipped as independent deities in this period. They were clearly distinguished from the Buddha by their princely attire. Scientific analysis has revealed evidence of polychrome over a stucco ground with traces of gilding in the headdress. This confirms the widespread use of polychrome on stone as well as stucco sculptures. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.4-1919 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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