Head
Unknown Artist
8th–10th century
Medium
Stucco with traces of gilt and paint
Dimensions
H. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); W. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); D. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
China
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Gift of Samuel Eilenberg, 1987
Accession Number
1987.142.72
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite stucco head, crafted in China during the 8th–10th century, offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of the Tang and early Song periods. Measuring just 5½ inches high, it likely served as part of a larger architectural ensemble, such as a temple niche or cave shrine decoration. The use of stucco—a molded plaster made from lime, sand, and fibers—allowed artisans to create intricate details with relative ease, while traces of gilt and paint reveal its original vibrant allure, evoking the splendor of imperial Buddhist art. The subtle modeling of the face, with its serene expressi...