
Mark Rasmussen
International Director
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Sold for US$8,125 inc. premium
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International Director
犍陀羅 四/五世紀 石灰岩男子頭像
Whereas this lot's material was described as stucco when sold at auction in 1982, Dr. Patapaditya Pal has identified it firsthand as limestone. In personal correspondence with Bill Clark in November 1985, Pal also suggested it might have originated from the region of Hadda where large deposits were known. Compared to stucco, the use of limestone is much rarer in Gandharan sculpture, but Pal provided Bill with four comparables in Roland, Ancient Art from Afghanistan, New York, 1976, pp.74 & 91, figs.53, 71, 73, and 97.
The distinctive arrangement of the turban that is secured by a band with three projecting leaves does not follow those worn by deities, nor does the low-slung broad mustache. Compare with related heads in the Lahore Museum and Musée Guimet published in Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. II, 1990, pp.126, 141 & 143, nos.347, 401 & 411.
Provenance
Christie's, London, 8 July 1982, lot 48 (pl.1)
Elizabeth and Willard Clark Collection, California