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Preaching Buddha

8th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 237
This Buddha, with his legs folded in a full yogic posture and his hands gesturing preaching, invokes the first sermon at Sarnath. The complex treatment of the monastic robes, most notably their pleated ends, is evidence of an unidentified monastic workshop, probably located in Kashmir or the Swat Valley. The treatment of the hair curls is unconventional, as is the extreme stylization of the eyes and eyebrow. Silver inlay marks the eyes and auspicious forehead mark (urna).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Preaching Buddha
  • Date: 8th century
  • Culture: India (Jammu & Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir) or Pakistan
  • Medium: Bronze with silver inlay
  • Dimensions: H. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Ex Coll.: Columbia University, Purchase, Lita Annenberg Hazen Charitable Trust Gift, 1987
  • Object Number: 1987.218.3
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, Bronze inlaid with silver, India (Jammu and Kashmir) or Pakistan (Swat Valley)
Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future
India (Jammu and Kashmir) or Pakistan (Swat Valley)
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Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Copper alloy with silver inlay, Kashmir
On loan to The Met
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
Kashmir
9th century
Narasimha, the Man-Lion Incarnation of Vishnu, Slaying the Evil King Hiranyakashipu, Stone, India (Jammu & Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir) or Pakistan
Narasimha, the Man-Lion Incarnation of Vishnu, Slaying the Evil King Hiranyakashipu
India (Jammu & Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir) or Pakistan
6th–7th century
Vajradharma Lokeshvara, Bronze with silver inlay, Pakistan (NW Frontier Province, probably Swat Valley)
Vajradharma Lokeshvara
Pakistan (NW Frontier Province, probably Swat Valley)
9th century
Lotus-Enthroned Buddha Akshobhya, the Transcendent Buddha , Bronze, Bangladesh (probably Comilla District)

Lotus-Enthroned Buddha Akshobhya, the Transcendent Buddha

Bangladesh (probably Comilla District)
8th–early 9th century

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