ticketsMember | Make a donation

Head of Buddha

5th–6th century
Not on view
The well-preserved surface and traces of paint provide an idea of what this head looked like when it was being used in worship. The abstracted treatment of the eyes and the intersecting plains defining forehead, eyebrows, and nose are stylistic features shared with imagery produced in north India during the Gupta period. The fact that this north Indian way of presenting the Buddha had penetrated into Afghanistan suggests a shared Buddhist tradition.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of Buddha
  • Date: 5th–6th century
  • Culture: Afghanistan (probably Hadda)
  • Medium: Stucco with traces of paint
  • Dimensions: H. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); W. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm); D. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1930
  • Object Number: 30.32.5
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Niche with the Seated Bodhisattva Shakyamuni Flanked by Devotees and an Elephant, Stucco, Afghanistan (Hadda)
Niche with the Seated Bodhisattva Shakyamuni Flanked by Devotees and an Elephant
Afghanistan (Hadda)
ca. 4th–5th century
Seated Bodhisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future), Schist, Afghanistan (found near Kabul)
Seated Bodhisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future)
Afghanistan (found near Kabul)
7th–8th century
Linga with Face of Shiva (Ekamukhalinga), White marble, Afghanistan
Linga with Face of Shiva (Ekamukhalinga)
Afghanistan
9th century
Head of a Deity, Stucco, Thailand (probably Ratchaburi province)
Head of a Deity
Thailand (probably Ratchaburi province)
8th century
Monumental Head of Buddha, Stucco, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara) or Afghanistan
Monumental Head of Buddha
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara) or Afghanistan
4th–5th century

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.