Skip to main content

Learning key

The Haḍḍa School of Art: Iconographic Markers

Buddha or Bodhisattva? Brahman or monk? This learning guide teaches how to read the ten figures of the Haḍḍa school of art, from the clues described in the database records: hairstyle, bodily marks, facial hair, clothing, expression.

375 works · 10 figures · 9 questions at most

How it works

Look at a sculpture · Answer a few questions about what you see · The guide leads you to the identification of the closest figure, explains why, and shows real works from the database.

A learning tool built on Alexandra Vanleene’s records, not an appraisal or authentication service. Identifications remain those of the database; debated cases are flagged as such.

The ten figures

Each entry gathers the distinguishing marks described in the records, the possible confusions and all matching works from the database.

  1. Head of Buddha

    54 works

    The Buddha

  2. Head of Bodhisattva

    72 works

    The Bodhisattva

  3. Head of god Indra

    11 works

    The deity

  4. Bust of Genius with Flowers

    15 works

    The genius

  5. Head of Monk Bhikṣu

    16 works

    The monk (bhikṣu)

  6. Head of Brahman

    31 works

    The brahman

  7. Head of a female donor

    46 works

    The donor

  8. Head of Demon

    45 works

    The demon

  9. Head of Warrior

    78 works

    The warrior

  10. Bust of Musician

    7 works

    The musicians