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Longmen Grottoes: Head of a Buddha
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Longmen Grottoes: Head of a Buddha
CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Tang dynasty (618–907); Stone; H: 28 cm; Rietberg Museum, Zurich, Switzerland
This head was taken from one of the grottoes at Longmen and now resides in the Rietberg Museum, Switzerland. The hair at the front of the head is arranged in whorls and the pattern is repeated on the tall topknot. The most defining feature on the Buddha’s oblong face is the concave ridge of crescent shaped eyebrows, which continue downward to form a long, straight nose. The eyes are lightly closed and upturned, while the small mouth is relaxed in a gentle smile. The characteristic three lines are noticeable on the neck, and the earlobes are elongated. |
