Sandstone head of a female deity. Gandhara, Afghanistan. Circa 6th century. A placid, gently smiling representation of a female deity or bodhisattva, Hellenistic in style with rounded face, full lips and lowered eyes. Her hair is elaborately styled and piled on top of her head, typical of the hairstyles depicted in Gandhara prior to the 7th century. Weathered, most likely from a stone frieze.