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Head of Buddha
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Head of Buddha
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Head of Buddha

Artifact IDMO 95.91
Object Type Bust
Date Second century AD
Date Presented9/5/63
Maker
Gifter
Place MadeHadda, Afghanistan, Asia
Medium Stucco, stone, metal
DimensionsOverall H 16 in x W 6 in x D 5 in (40.6 cm x 15.2 cm x 12.7 cm)
Physical DescriptionGandharan style stucco head of Buddha with wavy hair swept upwards and terminating into an ushnisha. Face has arching eyebrows and heavy half-open downcast eyes. The mask-like face of this, and other Buddhas from Hadda, have a dryness and regularity which suggest that they were made from moulds. The treatment of the face has slight reminiscences of a Classical ideal combined with the soft fullness of Indian sculptures of the Gupta period.
Historical NoteGandhara developed an artistic style blending Greco-Roman influences and Indian Buddhism. The Gandhara school is credited with the first representation of the Buddha in human form. The 'Hadda' style is a type of Gandhara sculpture made of molded stucco. The Hadda sculptors developed an original style of art through realism in portraiture similar to Roman provincial art. This Head of Buddha was presented to President Kennedy on September 5, 1963, by His Majesty Mohammad Zahir Shah, King of Afghanistan during his state visit to the White House.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift to the President and Mrs. Kennedy from King Mohammed Zahir in 1963. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in 1995 by the Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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