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Seated Buddha

1st to mid-2nd century
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Seated Buddha
  • Date: 1st to mid-2nd century
  • Culture: Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
  • Medium: Bronze with traces of gold leaf
  • Dimensions: H. 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm); W. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm); D. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Muneichi Nitta, 2003
  • Object Number: 2003.593.1
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Buddha, Schist, Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, possibly Takht-i-bahi monastery, ancient region of Gandhara
Buddha
Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, possibly Takht-i-bahi monastery, ancient region of Gandhara
3rd century
Bust of a Bodhisattva, Schist, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Bust of a Bodhisattva
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
ca. 4th–5th century
Standing Bodhisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future), Gray schist, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Standing Bodhisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future)
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
ca. 3rd century
Standing Bodisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future), Schist, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Standing Bodisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future)
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
ca. 3rd century
Door Guardian (Dvarapala), Stucco, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Door Guardian (Dvarapala)
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
ca. 4th century

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