A LARGE HEAD OF BUDDHA, GANDHARA Ancient region of Gandhara, 3rd-4th century. Successfully evoking Buddha’s enlightened countenance, this finely carved and polished schist head is a superb example of Gandharan sculpture. Its Greco-Roman legacy is clearly mirrored in the soft cheeks and chin meeting crisp ridges to define the lips, eyelids and eyebrows. Provenance: From the estate of an Ambassador of Luxembourg to France, who built his collection between 1960 and 1980. Thence by descent. Acquired by the present owner, a private collector from Germany, from the above. A copy of a handwritten letter by the current owner, confirming the provenance, is accompanying this lot. Condition: Very good condition with losses, wear and minor dents as seen on the pictures in the catalogue and online at www.zacke.at. Weight: 23.6 kilograms (without base) and 27.8 kilograms (with base) Dimensions: Height 35 cm (the head without base) On a modern metal stand. (2) Radiating from the high arching forehead Buddha’s locks undulate in symmetrical waves from a central parting in a manner that can be compared with three related examples in the British Museum (see Zwalf, Gandhara Sculpture, Vol. II, London, 1996, pp. 9, 10, & 32, nos. 1, 3, & 39). Meanwhile, the present example’s high-domed ushnisha is also reflected in other examples within a French private collection and the Tokyo National Museum (see Kurita, Gandharan Art, Vol. II, Tokyo, 2003, pp. 11 & 92, nos. 12 & 232).