Garnet Buddha-Head Necklace

A large pure garnet carved in the shape of the Buddha's head, the exquisitely formed features in the Greek manner, hair done in tight curls at the brow and forming waves of ripples across the crown which is surmounted with a lotus-form ushnisha. The surface done with a high polish. Pierced and strung as a pendant to a necklace strung with gold-covered beads and ten crouching lions carved from similar garnet stone.
Gandhara culture, recovered from Swat, northern Pakistan. Circa no later than the 2nd century AD or likely earlier. The style more Greek than Kushan.
Dimensions of the Buddha head: Height - 4.7 cm. Width 3.4 cm.

PG032a