Seated Buddha

Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 235

This small bronze Buddha is probably one of the earliest iconic representations of Shakyamuni from Gandhara. He sits in a yogic posture holding his right hand in abhaya mudra (a gesture of approachability); his unusual halo has serrations that indicate radiating light. His hairstyle, the form of his robes, and the treatment of the figure reflect stylistic contacts with the classical traditions of the West. This Buddha shows closer affinities to Roman sculpture than any other surviving Gandharan bronze.

#7904. Seated Buddha, Part 1

0:00
0:00

    Playlist

  1. 7904. Seated Buddha, Part 1
  2. 7904. Seated Buddha, Part 2
View Transcript
Seated Buddha, Bronze with traces of gold leaf, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Seated Buddha, Bronze with traces of gold leaf, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Seated Buddha, Bronze with traces of gold leaf, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Seated Buddha, Bronze with traces of gold leaf, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.