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Bust of god Brahma or a young brahman

HADB 272Tapa Kalān
Tapa KalānFigureStuccoModelling
Figure in Stucco: Bust of god Brahma or a young brahman, Tapa Kalān, Hadda
Click to enlarge

Photo by Jules Barthoux ©GrandPalaisRmn - Guimet Museum

Gallery (1)
Tapa Kalān

Location

Tapa Kalān68

Description

This figure could be the god Brahma or a young brahman. He is wearing the uttarāsaṅga, the robe that leaves the right shoulder uncovered, and is joining his hands in añjalimudrā. The position of his face and posture suggest that he was looking towards a figure below him and to his right, presumably the Buddha. The hairstyle is typical of Brahmans: long hair falling over the enlarged ears, pulled up into a bun on top of the skull. A small loose lock of hair falls over the shoulder. The face is idealised and smiling.

Characteristics

Technique

Modelling

Material

Stucco

Object type

Figure

Site

Tapa Kalān - 68

Conservation location

National Museum of Afghanistan

Traces of polychromy

No

Restoration

No restoration

A debated title: learn to weigh the clues