Indonesian Stone Bust of Buddha

The smile is barely there, which is the whole achievement.

This bust of Buddha was carved of river stone in Mojokerto, Indonesia, in the 20th century. Mojokerto is long known for its stone carvers, and busts and heads of the Buddha are made there for temples, gardens and homes, in a tradition of Buddhist sculpture with deep roots in the region. Tight spiral curls cover the head and rise to a rounded peak. Long earlobes hang beside a smooth dark face with lowered lids and a small dot on the brow. Pleats fall over one shoulder, and the stone ends in a rough edge below the chest. Twenty-seven and a half inches high and 22 wide.

A large stone, and a very quiet one.