A Gandhara Stucco Head of Bodhisattva

A striking Gandharan molded stucco head of a male Bodhisattva, tentatively identified as Manjushri, ancient region of Gandhara, probably Hadda or surrounding area, 3rd-5th century. The Bodhisattva is sculpted of stucco in an idealized manner as a youthful male, with soft and kind features, a benign expression on his face. He wears an elaborate pleated turban wrapped around his head, with two sweeping lobes at the front. His turban secured on one side by a small image of a roaring lion. The lion may be read as a reference to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who is often depicted as riding or subduing a roaring lion, a metaphor for taming the wild thoughts of the mind. Manjushri gazes outwards in a beatific manner from almond shaped eyes, a gentle smile on his lips. The eyes at different levels when looking at the sculpture head on, indicating the original placement of the head was meant to be viewed at an angle. Remnants of pigments to the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Mounted on a custom black metal stand. Hadda was an important center of Buddhist learning in the early history of Greco Buddhist Gandhara, and at one time may have housed a bone relic of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. The sculpture and architecture of Hadda followed Hellenistic artistic conventions faithfully, leading some scholars to believe the distinct Greco Buddhist style of Gandhara was first developed in Hadda before spreading to the rest of the region. The kingdom of Gandhara was situated at a crossroads of trade and cultures. Being one of the last remnants of Alexander the Great's Empire, the inhabitants of the Greco-Bactrian Buddhist kingdom preserved Greek culture and heritage for centuries after the decline of the Greek Empire...

Stucco head of a Roman figure. Signed on the back (unknown). The head is separate from the base.

Exuding an energy of calm and tranquility, this larger-than-life stone bust depicts a Buddhist bodhisattva in serene meditation. A disciple of the Buddha, a bodhisattva is a compassi...

Beautiful marble Quan Yin. Very large and incredibly heavy (needs additional padding on the underside or a stand to help balance the bust so that it ca...

A sublime Greco-Buddhist stucco head of the Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, circa 3rd-5th century. A fragment of a larger statue, the Buddha's face...

A Chinese Ming Dynasty period stucco head of a court lady from the 15th or 16th century, mounted on a wooden stand. Crafted in China during the Ming Dynasty, this stucco head is moun...

A cast terracotta sculpture of a bodhisattva mounted later on a laminated wood base.

A pair of finely carved wood statues depicting near mirror images of two Bodhisattvas, likely dated to 19th century of late Qing dynasty, but executed in Song style. Dressed in flowing robes, crowned and bejeweled, these Bodhisattvas are known as Avalokitesvara in Sanskrit. In China, his identify took a cultural transformation and became Guanyin (the one who detects the sounds of the world), who is worshipped for her compassion and mercy for those in the sufferings. Both posed in the seated "Royal Ease...

Dated and numbered ('28 mai 1895 XXV') sculpture in stucco of the Venus of Milo. It is clear to see that the sculpture is composed of several parts. Beautiful patina and in good cond...

The artist of these sculpture is Koen Muller, he lives and works in Eksaarde Belgium. He is a draughtsman, painter and sculptor. Can look back on a rich and varied oeuvre. Was and is...