Buddha | The Bodhisattva Maitreya, anonymous, anonymous, c. 800 - c. 1000

brass, h 23.0cm × w 5.0cm More details

The aureole of flames around the body and head of the Buddha ends in a point. This is typical of Kashmiri sculpture from this period. His right hand makes the gesture of reassurance (abhaya mudra). In his left hand Maitreya holds a flask with nectar of immortality, his usual attribute. His right hand makes a gesture that occurs only in the art of Kashmir and Gandhara, the meaning of which remains unknown.