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Large Buddha, Bamiyan. Bamiyan Province.

The basic form of the Buddha figure was carved into the rock at the back of the niche, and then covered with a layer of mud and straw over which an assemblage of cords were draped to represent the folds of a monastic cloak. These were covered with a fine limestone plaster and then painted red as traces confirm. The face was always left blank, covered with a gold leaf plaque depicting the facial features. This fitted into a slot inside the chin, but it disappeared long ago, as did the missing hands also made of gilded metal. The right hand was raised in the attitude of reassurance.

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Filename
UNK-13.jpg
Copyright
acku Afghanistan
Image Size
4328x6411 / 4.1MB
Contained in galleries
NATIONAL MUSEUM II: CE (Common Era)
The basic form of the Buddha figure was carved into the rock at the back of the niche, and then covered with a layer of mud and straw over which an assemblage of cords were draped to represent the folds of a monastic cloak. These were covered with a fine limestone plaster and then painted red as traces confirm. The face was always left blank, covered with a gold leaf plaque depicting the facial features. This fitted into a slot inside the chin, but it disappeared long ago, as did the missing hands also made of gilded metal. The right hand was raised in the attitude of reassurance.