Ancient Terracotta Fragment with Male Bust | Gandharan/Northwest India | Circa 2nd–4th Century CE

Provenance & Ownership History
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Formerly held in the private collection of Dale McKeeby, California, USA, a collector of ancient art and antiquities. Acquired on the United States art market during the 1990s to early 2000s. Subsequently held in a private collection in New York, New York, USA.

$300.00
$300.00
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Ancient Gandharan terracotta male bust plaque fragment, 2nd–4th Century CE
Ancient Gandharan terracotta relief plaque fragment from the 2nd–4th century CE, featuring a weathered central male bust with almond-shaped eyes, a rounded hairstyle or headdress, faint attendant figures, reddish-brown clay, natural encrustation, and a custom display base.
Full frontal view of ancient terracotta bust centered on tall black display block
Close-up of weathered terracotta surface texture and earthy orange tones
Direct close-up of Gandharan terracotta fragment emphasizing central bust relief
Frontal view of ancient orange-brown terracotta plaque with central bust and side figures
Angled close-up of terracotta face revealing worn nose and rounded headdress details
Side profile of ancient terracotta fragment displaying thin irregular edge and weathering
Rear angle of fragmented terracotta piece showing coarse uneven clay surface
Side profile of rough textured terracotta artifact showing thickness and raised features
Small terracotta fragment standing vertically on black base emphasizing irregular shape
Terracotta male bust fragment elevated on pedestal highlighting height and clay material
Ancient Gandharan terracotta male bust fragment with almond eyes on black stand
Three-quarter view of terracotta bust back showing rough texture and neck details
  • Ancient Gandharan terracotta male bust plaque fragment, 2nd–4th Century CE
  • Ancient Gandharan terracotta relief plaque fragment from the 2nd–4th century CE, featuring a weathered central male bust with almond-shaped eyes, a rounded hairstyle or headdress, faint attendant figures, reddish-brown clay, natural encrustation, and a custom display base.
  • Full frontal view of ancient terracotta bust centered on tall black display block
  • Close-up of weathered terracotta surface texture and earthy orange tones
  • Direct close-up of Gandharan terracotta fragment emphasizing central bust relief
  • Frontal view of ancient orange-brown terracotta plaque with central bust and side figures
  • Angled close-up of terracotta face revealing worn nose and rounded headdress details
  • Side profile of ancient terracotta fragment displaying thin irregular edge and weathering
  • Rear angle of fragmented terracotta piece showing coarse uneven clay surface
  • Side profile of rough textured terracotta artifact showing thickness and raised features
  • Small terracotta fragment standing vertically on black base emphasizing irregular shape
  • Terracotta male bust fragment elevated on pedestal highlighting height and clay material
  • Ancient Gandharan terracotta male bust fragment with almond eyes on black stand
  • Three-quarter view of terracotta bust back showing rough texture and neck details
Ancient Gandharan terracotta male bust plaque fragment, 2nd–4th Century CE
Ancient Gandharan terracotta relief plaque fragment from the 2nd–4th century CE, featuring a weathered central male bust with almond-shaped eyes, a rounded hairstyle or headdress, faint attendant figures, reddish-brown clay, natural encrustation, and a custom display base.
Full frontal view of ancient terracotta bust centered on tall black display block
Close-up of weathered terracotta surface texture and earthy orange tones
Direct close-up of Gandharan terracotta fragment emphasizing central bust relief
Frontal view of ancient orange-brown terracotta plaque with central bust and side figures
Angled close-up of terracotta face revealing worn nose and rounded headdress details
Side profile of ancient terracotta fragment displaying thin irregular edge and weathering
Rear angle of fragmented terracotta piece showing coarse uneven clay surface
Side profile of rough textured terracotta artifact showing thickness and raised features
Small terracotta fragment standing vertically on black base emphasizing irregular shape
Terracotta male bust fragment elevated on pedestal highlighting height and clay material
Ancient Gandharan terracotta male bust fragment with almond eyes on black stand
Three-quarter view of terracotta bust back showing rough texture and neck details
Authenticity and secure checkout guarantee

Ancient Terracotta Fragment with Male Bust | Gandharan/Northwest India | Circa 2nd–4th Century CE

Description
More Less

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Gandhara / Northwest India (Kushan Period influence)
Material: Terracotta
Period: Circa 2nd–4th Century CE

Description

A fragmentary terracotta plaque featuring a central male bust flanked by faint side figures. The face, though worn, retains discernible features with almond-shaped eyes and a rounded hairstyle or headdress typical of Gandharan and Kushan terracotta votive figures. Such fragments once adorned temple walls, shrines, or household altars, reflecting devotional practices in Buddhist and Hindu contexts of the region.

Features

- Central male head with faint side attendants in relief

- Warm reddish-brown terracotta with natural encrustation

- Mounted on a custom display base for presentation

- Surface wear consistent with great antiquity

Cultural Significance

Terracotta reliefs of Gandhara and adjacent regions reveal the blend of Greco-Roman naturalism and South Asian spiritual themes. They were used as votive objects, architectural decorations, or small shrines, linking daily worshippers with divine and heroic imagery.

Condition

Fragmentary, with significant surface erosion and encrustation obscuring finer details. Stable with clear form and historical character intact.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height (with base): 4.25 in
Width: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

1,700–1,900 years old

Provenance

Formerly held in the private collection of Dale McKeeby, California, USA, a collector of ancient art and antiquities. Acquired on the United States art market during the 1990s to early 2000s. Subsequently held in a private collection in New York, New York, USA.

Learn More

Discover the history and artistic traditions of Gandharan sculpture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Explore Our Collection of Eastern Antiquities and Cultural Relics

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Gandhara / Northwest India (Kushan Period influence)
Material: Terracotta
Period: Circa 2nd–4th Century CE

Description

A fragmentary terracotta plaque featuring a central male bust flanked by faint side figures. The face, though worn, retains discernible features with almond-shaped eyes and a rounded hairstyle or headdress typical of Gandharan and Kushan terracotta votive figures. Such fragments once adorned temple walls, shrines, or household altars, reflecting devotional practices in Buddhist and Hindu contexts of the region.

Features

- Central male head with faint side attendants in relief

- Warm reddish-brown terracotta with natural encrustation

- Mounted on a custom display base for presentation

- Surface wear consistent with great antiquity

Cultural Significance

Terracotta reliefs of Gandhara and adjacent regions reveal the blend of Greco-Roman naturalism and South Asian spiritual themes. They were used as votive objects, architectural decorations, or small shrines, linking daily worshippers with divine and heroic imagery.

Condition

Fragmentary, with significant surface erosion and encrustation obscuring finer details. Stable with clear form and historical character intact.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height (with base): 4.25 in
Width: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

1,700–1,900 years old

Provenance

Formerly held in the private collection of Dale McKeeby, California, USA, a collector of ancient art and antiquities. Acquired on the United States art market during the 1990s to early 2000s. Subsequently held in a private collection in New York, New York, USA.

Learn More

Discover the history and artistic traditions of Gandharan sculpture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Explore Our Collection of Eastern Antiquities and Cultural Relics

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