A Stucco Head of Buddha. Ancient region of Gandhara, Kushan period, 4th – 5th century AD. The head slightly tilted to the left with bands of curly hair, originally in a top knot. Urna to the centre of the forehead, with elongated ears and half closed eyes in meditation and slightly smiling mouth with crease folds to the neck. Mounted on a custom made stand. Height of the head: 21 cm, total Height: 33 cm Catalogue Note: The depiction of the Buddha appeared for the first time during the Gandharan period. This happened due to the interaction of locals in Central Asia and the Greeks who arrived in the area during the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, and the subsequent establishment of the Indo~Greek kingdom. Prior to this period the depiction of the Buddha was prohibited and only seen in symbolic form. With the influence of Greek culture on the Buddhist religion the Buddha begins to be depicted in human form, but with a strong influence of Classical art, especially noticeable in the soft features of the face, proportions of the body and the treatment of the robes. The art form was to last a thousand years until the conquest of the area by the Muslims in the 7th century AD.