Ajina Tepe: Heavenly Being

TAJIKISTAN, Khatlon

This statue was discovered in the Buddhist ruins of Ajina Tepe in Tajikistan. The neatly arranged ringlets of the heavenly being were molded before being attached to the head and were once painted black. The rounded face is lifelike, with large eyes gazing forward beneath arched brows. The nose is slightly flattened and the lips are full. Traces of jewelry include a beaded necklace, armlets, bracelets, and a chest ornament. A stole is draped diagonally across the chest on which large patches of yellow paint remain. The lower body of the Heavenly Being is covered with a skirt. The head is turned slightly to the left as the figure kneels with the right leg down and the left leg folded upwards. The right hand rests on the right thigh. The statue was originally attached to a wall and details were accentuated with paint of various thicknesses.