Path 17 of 17 · 18 works
The Art of Caricature at Haḍḍa
Smiles sketched from life, grimaces, features heightened to the grotesque: the modellers of Haḍḍa also knew how to exaggerate a line. This trail brings together eighteen sculptures whose descriptions speak of caricature, the grotesque or plastic exaggeration: a laughing monk and a young donor with almost caricatural features, grimacing heads, wide-eyed warriors and atlantes, and finally demons whose expressive force verges on the fantastic.
Locate these works on the excavation plan(7/18)
1 / 18
Head of Monk Bhikṣu
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
The face of this laughing young monk seems a portrait sketched from life, a caricature.
FindspotBāgh Gaï 
2 / 18
Head of a young Donor
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
The accentuated, almost caricatural features of this young donor give him a foolish expression.
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3 / 18
Grimacing head
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
This human grotesque expresses pain and pathos, a pout of disgust distorting the mouth.
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4 / 18
Grimacing head
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
A grimace of pain or fear distorts this grotesque face, which seems to cry out or weep.
FindspotBāgh Gaï 
5 / 18
Mask of Warrior
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
This warrior mask is a grotesque whose features were accentuated with a modelling tool.
6 / 18
Head of Warrior
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
Wearing a polygonal cap, this warrior has a grotesque expression, eyes wide open and mouth agape.
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7 / 18
Head of Warrior
Tapa-i Kafarihā · Stucco
With brows knitted over bulging eyes, this moustachioed soldier takes on a worried, slightly grotesque expression.
8 / 18
Head of Warrior
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
Beneath his voluted helmet, this warrior with a good-natured, grotesque face juts his head forward, mouth open in a smile.
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9 / 18
Head of Warrior
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
An atlante with his turban tied under the chin, this soldier with a round, idealised face is slightly grimacing and grotesque.
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10 / 18
Bust of Warrior
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
This grotesque soldier with bulging eyes and a chubby face casts a furious glance, a lasso in hand.
11 / 18
Bust of Warrior
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
The disproportionate head and bulging eyes of this atlante, ready to draw his sword, add to his grotesque character.
12 / 18
Bust of Warrior
Tapa-i Kafarihā · Stucco
This grotesque warrior with an imposing torso was placed in the position of a decorative atlante.
FindspotTapa-i Kafarihā 
13 / 18
Bust of Demon
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
This demon with a warrior's features has a face more caricatured than monstrous.
14 / 18
Head of Demon
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
A smile with boar's tusks and a wide-eyed stare: this human-faced demon is more grotesque than demonic.
15 / 18
Head of Demon
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
Bald and endowed with elephant ears, this grotesque demon grimaces in pain, his gaze imploring.
16 / 18
Head of Demon
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
Grotesque and terrifying, this half-animal, half-human demon with flame-like hair stretches his mouth with one hand.
17 / 18
Head of Demon
Haḍḍa, lost location · Stucco
Eyes bulging, this grotesque demon opens an outsized mouth to disgorge another figure.
18 / 18
Demon
Haḍḍa, lost location · Stucco
The broad skull of this stocky demon, its two halves exaggeratedly swollen, adds to his terrifying expression.