A TERRACOTTA HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA, ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA Kushan period, 4th - 5th century. The elegantly modeled head wearing a floral hairband below the domed ushnisha, the hair falling down in curls, the face with a serene expression, eyes downcast in meditation, the fine aquiline nose above a bow-shaped mouth, the cheekbones and chin powerfully sculpted. Provenance: Arthur Huc (1854-1932). Marcel Huc, inherited from the above. Thence by descent within the same family. In 1954, L. Magniette, bailiff of the court in Toulouse (Huissier), was ordered to compile a complete inventory of the collection inherited by Marcel Huc from his father, Arthur Huc, the so-called "Inventaire Huc". The present lot is listed in this inventory as follows: "Serie de vingt deux têtes en terrecuite. GANDHARA" (series of twenty-two terracotta heads. GANDHARA). A copy of the inventory list and cover page are accompanying this lot. Condition: Fine condition with minor firing flaws, old wear and some losses as visible on the images at www.zacke.at. Old varnish coating, minor wax fillings and fine patina. Scientific Report: A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Oxford Authentication on October 18th, 2016, based on sample number N116n10, sets the firing date of the sample taken at 1,500 - 2,400 years ago. A copy of the report, issued by Oxford Authentication, is accompanying this lot (the original report was lost). Weight: 5.6 kg (including base) Dimensions: Height 22 cm (the head) and 29 cm (the head with base) On a modern base. (2)