Buddha Shakyamuni – The Historical Buddha
See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 2
Display 1
ABS 147
Code: ABS 147
Country: India (north-west)
Style: Swat
Date: 600 - 700
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 7.6 x 12 x 5.4
Materials: Brass
Buddha Shakyamuni displaying the gesture of charity (varada-mudra)
The Buddha is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyanka) on a circular constricted double lotus pedestal. He holds the right hand in the gesture of charity (varada mudra) and the left holds the upper monastic robe in the "ring hand gesture"(kataka mudra). The upper monastic garment (uttarasanga) is rendered with few folds and covers the left shoulder only.
The constricted lotus pedestal represents a typical feature of this style attributed to Swat Valley Region (today in Pakistan). It is rather unusual to find a Buddha image of the region with only the left shoulder covered by the monastic garment. The face with the full lips reveals influence by the Northern India Gupta styles, whereas the image of the Swat Region usually rather reflect Gandharan influence.
The Buddha is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyanka) on a circular constricted double lotus pedestal. He holds the right hand in the gesture of charity (varada mudra) and the left holds the upper monastic robe in the "ring hand gesture"(kataka mudra). The upper monastic garment (uttarasanga) is rendered with few folds and covers the left shoulder only.
The constricted lotus pedestal represents a typical feature of this style attributed to Swat Valley Region (today in Pakistan). It is rather unusual to find a Buddha image of the region with only the left shoulder covered by the monastic garment. The face with the full lips reveals influence by the Northern India Gupta styles, whereas the image of the Swat Region usually rather reflect Gandharan influence.