Unknown Artist
Maitreya
- Other titles:
- Stele with Bodhisattva seated in contemplation, Seated pensive Bodhisattva
- Location
- Upper Asian gallery
- Further information
Originating in the north-west regions of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, the art of Gandhara represents a unique meeting of East and West. From these sources there emerged a remarkable new art that flourished during the first four centuries of the Christian era. This figure of a Maitreya is distinguished by its quiet and contemplative attitude, the distinctive face with prominent moustache, the flowing drapery, the ornate pedestal, and the right foot casually raised leaving an empty sandal on the footstool. The right hand lightly touches the head in a pensive gesture, and the left holds a covered casket or alms bowl. It is an image that beautifully and richly embraces its cosmopolitan heritage and lays the foundations for the great traditions of East Asian Buddhist sculpture.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 1999
- Place of origin
-
Swat Valley,
Ancient Gandhara,
Pakistan
- Period
- India: Kushan period mid 1st century–early 5th century
- Year
- 3rd century
- Media
- Sculpture
- Medium
- grey schist
- Dimensions
- 79.0 x 39.0 x 18.0cm
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 1997
- Accession number
- 7.1997
