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Buddha Preaching

8th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 246
The Prasat Hin Khao Plai Bat II cache included a small number of preaching Buddhas, this one being among the largest. Stylistically, this work looks west to the Mon regions of central Thailand, where this Buddha type was developed during the seventh century, drawing on northern Indian Sarnath models. Both hands are raised in the gesture of exposition (vitarkamudra), a hallmark of the Dvaravati style in Thailand. Like most of the bodhisattvas in the cache, this Buddha has a mustache and inlaid eyes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Buddha Preaching
  • Date: 8th century
  • Culture: Plai Bat II Temple, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province, Thailand
  • Medium: Copper alloy inlaid with silver and glass or obsidian
  • Dimensions: H. 32 13/16 in. (83.3 cm); W. 9 3/8 in. (23.7 cm); D. 7 3/16 in. (18.3 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.220.5
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Copper alloy inlaid with silver and glass or obsidian, Plai Bat II Temple, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province, Thailand
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
Plai Bat II Temple, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province, Thailand
second quarter of the 8th century
Standing Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Bronze inlaid with obsidian(?), Northeast Thailand
Standing Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion
Northeast Thailand
8th–early 9th century
Buddha Seated under the Bodhi Tree, Terracotta with traces of red lacquer(?), Thailand (Buriram province, probably Prakhon Chai)
Buddha Seated under the Bodhi Tree
Thailand (Buriram province, probably Prakhon Chai)
7th–9th century
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Sandstone, Southern Thailand
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
Southern Thailand
second half of the 7th century
Standing Buddha, Stone with traces of color, Thailand
Standing Buddha
Thailand
7th–8th century

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