Tapa Kalan Stupa 142: Fragment of a Heavenly Being

AFGHANISTAN, Nangarhar, Hadda

This statue was found within Stupa 142 at the site of Tapa Kalan. This is the most outstanding of the numerous sculptures discovered at that location. Thought one of many heavenly beings that surrounded a central Buddha, it was titled the “Genius with Flowers” by its discoverers. The figure has decidedly Greek features including a double fringe of curls that fall about the ears. The head is held slightly forward and turns sharply to the right as if to watch something in that direction. The loose tunic beneath a simple necklace is weighed down by flowers and leaves the chest bare. The figure’s left hand grasps the edge of the tunic as if to prevent it from slipping off the shoulders. The graceful adaptation of the Hellenic style in this statue is notable.