Myanmar, culture of Pagan (Bagan) Sandstone Sandstone...

This remarkable head in sandstone constitutes a particularly expressive testimony of Buddhist sculpture developed at Pagan, the present-day Bagan, one of the great religious and artistic centers of medieval Southeast Asia. The figure is depicted with an entirely shaven scalp, long ears with stretched lobes, a wide and serene face, and eyes that are almost closed. The absence of an uṣṇīṣa and conventional hair leads to recognizing not an image of the Buddha, but more likely a Buddhist monk or disciple, belonging to a broader religious ensemble. The treatment of the face is especially appealing: broad forehead, full-cheek modeling, elongated eyelids, a discreetly smiling mouth, and deliberately simple volumes create an expression of inner calm and concentration. This ample and supple modeling fits within the evolution of Pagan sculpture in the 12th and 13th centuries, a period during which a more distinctly Burmese language develops, characterized by rounder faces and a robust construction of forms. These characteristics are described in the works of Claudine Bautze-Picron dedicated to Pagan sculpture. The piece also preserves all the material interest of an ancient architectural sculpture. Breaks at the level of the neck and shoulders, as well as irregular areas visible at the back, indicate that it likely belonged to a figure of larger dimensions, probably integrated into a niche, a relief, or a monumental decoration. The literature devoted to Pagan documents precisely the use of stone for large sculpted series integrated into religious monuments. The surface shows beautiful ancient weathering, natural variations in hue, and a mineral patina that give the sculpture a very authentic presence. The features remain sufficiently preserved to retain all the strength and serenity of the face. No modern restoration is detectable. Presented today on a discreet black base, this head possesses an almost timeless quality: sober, monumental despite its contained dimensions, it works just as well as a historical fragment as an autonomous sculpture. Myanmar, Pagan / Bagan, 12th–13th century. Sandstone. Provenance: former French private collection. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/z0zvo3zsbdfepiju8t9rr/AIg9SMxKoA8oHcVP51zQc5o?rlkey=2o9tn3mlwm8awebknl2nxqlg9&dl=0

Estimate:$6,188.74

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