| early chinese |
Head of the Buddha
Carved a sparkly white marble, this beautifully preserved head of the Buddha has a sensitive and sensuousness that sets it apart from many other sculptures of its time. The curved lines defining the eyes and lips follow the Indian Gupta prototypes that influenced Chinese Buddhist sculpture, but there is a slight fleshiness here which is purely Chinese. It does not go as far as this quality does in the Tang Dynasty, here it is just a hint of extra flesh on a well proportioned head. The preservation is exceptional with the original surface and extensive traces of burial present. The Buddha as the Enlightened one is shown in his transcendent state of conciousness, Nirvana, with his slight smile and half closed eyes in joyful contemplation. This head is a beautiful example of this rich period of Chinese art, and a exceptional Buddhist image. The material, marble, was reserved according to one source, to royal commissions, and as such this is a rare example of this time.  |