124. TÊTE DE BOUDDHA EN SCHISTE LAQUÉ D'OR ANCIENNE RÉGION DU GANDHARA, IIIE/IVE SIÈCLE 21 cm (8 1/4 in.) high A GILT LACQUERED SCHIST HEAD OF BUDDHA ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD/4TH CENTURY 犍陀羅 三/四世紀 片岩漆金佛首 This rare example of stone retaining its gilt-lacquer of the Buddha's portrayal chronicles an era of wealth, syncretic styles, and Buddhist patronage. The late Kushan empire in the third century flourished with mercantile activities, visual arts, and Buddhist thought. During this period, iconic images of the Buddha proliferated in a style infused with Classical features including undulating locks of hair, almond-shaped eyes, and an aquiline nose. Merged with Buddhist Mahayana paradigms of enlightenment, the urna along the face and tiered bun ushnisha with floriform center represent these qualities portrayed by the Buddha. For another example with its gilding perserved, see a stone image sold at Christie's, New York, 23 Sep 2004, lot 29. Provenance: Drs. Wilfried and Valentina Stache between 1965-1975, likely while in Karachi where Dr. Wilfried Stache served as Director of Goethe Institutes (1965-1968).