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Punjab: Head of Ascetic Sakyamuni
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Punjab: Head of Ascetic Sakyamuni
PAKISTAN, Punjab, Rawalpindi; circa 2nd–3rd century; Schist; H: 22.3 cm; British Museum, London, United Kingdom
The Ascetic Sakyamuni depicts Prince Siddhartha as he looked during his period of asceticism, surviving on a greatly reduced diet. The sculptor has captured in careful detail the prince's malnourished state, with sunken eyes and cheeks, and veins standing out on the forehead. Other features foreshadowing his future enlightened state are also included, such as the wavy hair, usnisa, and urna. The down-turned mouth indicates his resolution. Beneath the jaw the skin is stretched over the neck to clearly reveal the muscles, tendons, and bones beneath. Rough incisions on the back of the head suggest that it may once have been connected to a nimbus. |
