Bust of a Bodhisattva
This image was made at a time when the naturalism of the earlier sculptural tradition was giving way to a greater formality, as artists strove to depict enlightened beings. The elaborate hairstyle, with topknot and hair flowing behind the shoulders, suggests that the sculpture represents Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. This image was once embellished with metal elements—note the iron remains of an attachment in his left ear and the holes for affixing metal decorative elements along edge of his jeweled hair ornament.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bust of a Bodhisattva
- Date: ca. 4th–5th century
- Culture: Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
- Medium: Schist
- Dimensions: H. 30 in. (76.2 cm); W. 17 in. (43.2 cm); D. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, 1942
- Object Number: 42.25.15
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, possibly Takht-i-bahi monastery, ancient region of Gandhara
3rd century
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
ca. 3rd century
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
1st to mid-2nd century
Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province
2nd–3rd century
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
ca. 3rd century
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