Maitreya represents the human Buddha of a future era who resides in the Tusita heaven. This subject is indistinguishable from the historic Buddha represented in the same paryankasana sitting posture with his hands raised in the dharmacakramudra gesture, alluring to his preaching of the first sermon in the deer park at Sarnath. The treatment of this figure recalls the style of Buddha images from Sarnath, which remained a major pilgrimage centre until at least the 12th century.
Object history note
Wolmore Collection
Descriptive line
The Buddha Preaching, gilded copper with traces of paint, Nepal, 900-1200, Late Licchavi/Transitional period
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Guy, John: ‘Indian Temple Sculpture’, London V & A Publication, 2007, p.60. pl.62.
ISBN 971851775095
Labels and date
The Buddha Preaching
900–1200
Late Licchavi/Transitional period
The Buddha is seated in the paryankasana posture with his
hands raised in the gesture of teaching. This position alludes to
his first sermon in the deer park at Sarnath. The treatment of
the figure also recalls the style of Buddha images from Sarnath,
which remained a major pilgrimage centre until at least the
12th century.
Details
- Title : The Buddha Preaching
- Year : 900-1200 (made)
- Classification : Figure/ Sculpture
- Medium : Gilt copper, with traces of paint
- Dimension : Height: 14 cm
- Accession No : IS.37-1988
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Culture : Buddhism
- Period : Late Licchavi/Transitional period
- Collection : Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
- Status : South-East Asia, Room 47a, case 10