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Qigxin: Head of a Bodhisattva
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Qigxin: Head of a Bodhisattva
CHINA, Xinjiang, Bayingolin; 7th–8th century; Clay; H: 20.5 cm; British Museum, London, United Kingdom
This is one of the several heads from the Qigxin site that have been described as balloon-like. A small portion of the right shoulder has survived here, showing that the figure had long wavy hair wound into a flat topknot and flowing down in a profusion of ringlets. The face is very broad and the neck appears hidden by a double chin. The enigmatic facial features include fine eyebrows that run into and define the line of the nose, long narrow eyes and a small bow-like mouth set into a hollow of the cheeks. The bust was made by coating clay around a straw mold and applying a facial mold over it to create the features. |
