Buddha Head, 8th century
Unknown artist, Cambodia or Thailandexpand_more
Limestoneexpand_more
Bequest of Alfred F. Pillsburyexpand_more 50.46.219
On View in Gallery 213expand_more
This Buddha demonstrates a critical innovation of Southeast Asian sculpture: the early translation of established Indian prototypes into distinctly local expressions. The sculptor fully captures the calm bliss of the enlightened being while subtly incorporating the facial features of the indigenous population. Similarly, artists of the Mon-Dvaravati period exaggerated the Buddha’s snail-shell curls, an attribute codified in Indian aesthetic treatises; the tight whorls would have had special significance to a culture where shells were valued forms of ornamentation.
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Details
- Title
- Buddha Head
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 50.46.219
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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