The Buddha Preaching

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On display

V&A South Kensington
The Himalayas and South-East Asia, Room 47a

Artist/Maker	Unknown
Place of origin	Nepal (made)

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 dharmacakramudragesture, alluding 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 pilgrimag
e centre until at least the 12th century.

Object details

Categories	Sculpture Buddhism
Object type	Figure
Title	The Buddha Preaching (generic title)
Materials and techniques	Gilt copper, with traces of paint Copper Gilding
Brief description	The Buddha Preaching, gilded copper with traces of paint, Nepal, 900-1200, Late Licchavi/Transitional period
Physical description	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 dharmacakramudragesture, alluding 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 pilgrimag e centre until at least the 12th century.
Dimensions	Height: 14cm
Gallery label	(14/06/2011) 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. Gilded copper with traces of paint Nepal Museum no. IS.37-1988
Object history	Purchased from Alex Biancardi (Walmore Collection)
Subject depicted	Buddhist
Bibliographic reference	Guy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London V & A Publication, 2007, p.60. pl.62. ISBN 971851775095
Collection	South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number	IS.37-1988

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Record created	February 13, 2000
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24814/the-buddha-preaching-figure-unknown/

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