Ancient India – Northern India

Important terracotta Bodhisattva head, Northern India, Gupta period, Ve–VIe century AD, probably the 6th century. The head displays a powerful and highly expressive modelling: a full face with elongated eyes, strongly drawn eyebrow arches, full lips and an elaborately styled coiffure consisting of broad locks in volutes. The ears bear heavy circular ornaments, while a slightly raised urṇa, confirmed upon physical examination at the center of the forehead, supports the identification as Bodhisattva. The piece is hollow and strongly modelled on the front and on the profiles. Its reverse, today fragmentary and not intended for viewing, indicates that it likely belonged to a larger sculptural or architectural ensemble, in keeping with a well-documented practice in the major centers of terracotta in the Ganges Valley during the Gupta period. The style shows strong affinities with the productions of Ahichchhatra, notably in the treatment of the face, the coiffure and the ornaments, although no precise archaeological provenance can be asserted. Beautiful old surface with even wear and deposits in the hollows. Presented on a modern metal base. Provenance: former private Belgian collection, formed between 1979 and 2009, then transmitted by succession in 2023. Dimensions without base: 15 × 11.5 × 10 cm. Total height with base: 22 cm. Weight without base: 958 g. No thermoluminescence test has been carried out; attribution rests on material, stylistic and comparative examination of the work. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7p4an2pfqgicsxkqeky5k/AKifVlMVNakbdyEYvuNEKW0?rlkey=iiqke03ctl5leman7gz2nf2uu&dl=0

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