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Bust of Gandharva

HADB 163Inv. MK 21, KM 62.3.164, NKM 04.3.41Tapa Kalān
Tapa KalānFigureStuccoModelling
Figure in Stucco: Bust of Gandharva, Tapa Kalān, Hadda
Click to enlarge

Photo by Jules Barthoux ©GrandPalaisRmn - Guimet Museum

Gallery (2)
Tapa Kalān

Location

Tapa Kalān35

Description

This winged hybrid genius is a Gandharva, a genius of the air. He is represented in flight, in a semi-recumbent position. His body ends, like that of the centaurs, in a horse's hindquarters. Above his shoulder appear two small wings. He appears naked. With both hands, he holds a rope hanging from his chest, probably to hold a weapon (many warriors fix their quivers or the scabbard of their sword in the same way). A sort of veil seems to be wrapped around his neck.

Observations

This head has been recorded twice in the "Catalogue of the National Museum of Afghanistan". The first time P. 460, K.p. Ha. 1302.369 from fig. 108c of Barthoux's publication, the second time P. 466, K.p. Ha. 1323.390 from a photo from the private photographic collection of Lolita Nehru.

Characteristics

Technique

Modelling

Material

Stucco

Object type

Figure

Site

Tapa Kalān - 35

Conservation location

National Museum of Afghanistan

Museum inventory No.

MK 21, KM 62.3.164, NKM 04.3.41

Traces of polychromy

No

Restoration

No restoration