Overview
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Fragment of stucco tile with Bodhisattva head.
Date
500 to 699
Find site
Measurement
height 16.1 centimetres, width 11.9 centimetres
Material
Language / script
Subject
Description
Scope and content : Mi. xvi. 001–3 and 0014–17. Stucco relief frs. of tiles with Bodhisattva head in centre like Mi. xxiii. 1, but from different mould. Head narrower and in higher relief, with small straight mouth and straight eyes; holes punched for pupils of eyes, nostrils, and corners of mouth in 001 and 0014–17. Small rosette in ears. Hair done in high conical top-knot with large rosette in front, and a half-flower of different type at sides with bud or tassel projecting horizontally from centre. Below these stand out, also horizontally, on either side, a loop of hair (generally on L.) and a small waving lock (generally on R.). Background almost entirely lost in all cases. All of red clay, fired, and later burnt accidentally. 001. Head and head-dress complete except for tassel on L. side of head; part of background also preserved with bead orn. and radiate border of halo. H. 6″. [Ser]
Institution
Historical information
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Find site identifier
Min.
Stein site number
Mi.xvi.001
Find site description
Site near Shorchuk, Karashahr, 20-30 miles east of Lake Baghrash on the northern arm of the Silk Road. It is called 'Ming-oi' meaning the 'Thousand Houses' and consists of an extensive collection of Buddhist shrines. Stein excavated there on his second expedition to Chinese Central Asia. Hedin and Grünwedel had excavated there previously.
Short description : Buddhist Caves north of Korla
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The British Museum Reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees of the British Museum