Head of Buddha
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Object Label
In the fourth and fifth centuries, during the reign of the Gupta dynasty in northern India, sculptors formulated several of the features that would become standard for Buddha images. “Snail shell” curls replaced other hairstyles, and downcast eyes and a relaxed mouth became the norm. Smaller Buddha images in this style are known to have traveled to Thailand and other distant realms, where they were used as models for locally made icons.
Caption
Head of Buddha, 5th century. Red sandstone, 13 × 7 1/2 × 7 in. (33 × 19.1 × 17.8 cm) mount (overall): 12 1/2 × 6 × 8 in. (31.8 × 15.2 × 20.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Georgia and Michael de Havenon, 1998.178.4. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Collection
Collection
Title
Head of Buddha
Date
5th century
Period
Gupta Period
Geography
Place made: Mathura, India
Medium
Red sandstone
Classification
Dimensions
13 × 7 1/2 × 7 in. (33 × 19.1 × 17.8 cm) mount (overall): 12 1/2 × 6 × 8 in. (31.8 × 15.2 × 20.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Georgia and Michael de Havenon
Accession Number
1998.178.4
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
I've always been into Buddhist art and I was curious about the material and country of origin. I am wondering if there are specific features in this work that are identifying to a specific time period or country.
This specific piece is made of red sandstone and comes from India during the Gupta Period which was approximately 320 to 550 CE.I have found that many depictions of the Buddha from the Gupta period featured the stretched ears, curled hair, wide-set mouth and those thin, arching eyebrows. The Buddha is shown as very introspective with his eyes looking downward in meditation.
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