REGION DU GANDHARA, IIEME-IIIEME SIECLE

This finely sculpted Buddha head shows deep inner spirituality. The complete figure was once placed in a shrine of a Buddhist sanctuary. Buddha figures started to appear in the late second century when the Mahayana form of Buddhism gained popularity. The worship of the Buddha was emphasized and culminated with an ever-growing demand of his icons. His elaborate wavy hair locks suggests a third century date.