Three Terracotta Heads

Kashmir, Akhnur circa 6th century
a Height: 4 3/4 inches, 12 cm
b Height: 4 3/4 inches, 12 cm
c Height: 4 3/8 inches, 11 cm

These heads, found in Akhnur, in the northwest region of Jammu, near Kashmir, probably belonged to figures adorning a stupa. The discovery of a group of isolated heads and figures in Akhnur, believed to have been the site of a Buddhist monastery of late Gupta date, indicates that the Gandhara terracotta tradition extended well into the Gupta period. Although the facial features are based closely on the round style of Gupta sculpture, the treatment is freer and the overall effect is more Baroque.1 They show a more spontaneous and individualistic style than that of the earlier periods. The execution of the hair more closely resembles the life model than that of the carefully represented curls of earlier sculpture.2 At the same time a kind of realism associated with Gandharan terracottas is evident. The head depicting a female with a prominent rounded chin, delicately curved lips, bow shaped eyebrows, and shallow incised eyes whose pupils are not pierced as in other terracottas of the northwest region. The complicated hairstyle is arranged in rows of curls at the front and tied at the back in a fan arrangement. It is possible that an ornament was originally placed upon the head as suggested by the indentation. A large ear ornament survives on the left-hand side. This type of ear ornament is often associated with Gupta sculpture. The use of colour, as is evident on one of the heads illustrated here, can be compared to the more Hellenistic style of Hadda.3 Comparable pieces can be found in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.4

1 - Harle, J.C. Gupta Sculpture, Oxford 1974, plate 139
2 - Zwalf, W. Gandhara Sculpture in the British Museum, vol I, plate II
3 - Pal, P, Indian Sculpture, A Catalogue of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Collection, Los Angeles 1986, p. 56, no S91
4 - op.cit. p. 229, no S104