Buddha with Radiate Halo and Mandorla
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Not on view
This image was likely used for personal veneration. The Buddha wears a typical Gandharan-style robe while his hair is reminiscent of images from Swat and Kashmir. Although the combined radiate halo and mandorla appears in Gandhara, this exact motif is found at the Afghan site of Bamiyan. The portability of such Buddhist images made them important vehicles for disseminating this hybrid Gandharan style.