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Qigxin: Head of a Heavenly Being
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Qigxin: Head of a Heavenly Being
CHINA, Xinjiang, Bayingolin; 6th–7th century; Clay; H: 22.8 cm; British Museum, London, United Kingdom
The head is life-sized and was already missing its body at the time of its discovery by Aurel Stein. The braided hair is arranged into a flat topknot. The wide, staring eyes have lost their original inlay. The raised eyebrows join to define the sharp line of the nose above a mouth with slightly parted lips. Although it was originally painted, analysis shows that fire had destroyed the sculpture's coloring. The sculpture's facial features bear little resemblance to the people living around the area of this find and may have been influenced by Gandharan models. |
