Head of Buddha

Tapa Kalān - Figure


HADB N° : 1
Technique : Modelling
Object Type : Figure
Material : Stucco
Site : Haḍḍa
Museum : National Museum of Afghanistan
Museum Registration Number : MK 150
Findspot : Tapa Kalān
Traces of Polychromy : No
Type of Restoration : No restoration
Description :

The Buddha bears two of the characteristic marks: the uṣnīṣa and the deformed earlobes, a reminder of his princely childhood. The ūrṇā is missing, perhaps it was painted. The uṣnīṣa is represented by a wavy bun, a treatment found on the rest of the hair. The curls consist of waves of high relief strands of hair, going back and forth. The profile of this head is hellenizing: the forehead is broad, the arch of the eyebrow is straight, the swollen eyelids fall on half-closed eyes. The nose is aquiline, fine, the mouth sinuous. The round chin betrays a slight goiter and the cheeks are full and round.


Observation :

Conserved in the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul, this head was completely destroyed.


Bibliographical References :

BARTHOUX Jules - 1930 - Les Fouilles de Haḍḍa, Figures et Figurines - Pl.1

TISSOT Francine - 2006 - Catalogue of the National Museum of Afghanistan (1931 – 1985) - P. 390, K.p. Ha. 1037.104