Not on display

Meditating Buddha

Sculpture
Early 3rd century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This carved panel depicts the meditating Buddha. The seated figure is represented in an architectural niche which suggests a built rather than rock-cut setting. The small scale suggests that it may have formed part of the decoration at the base of a stupa (shrine).

Here the Buddha wears his monk's robe drawn over both shoulders in a style associated with northern Buddhism. The red sandstone comes from the Uttar Pradesh region of northern India, and the panel is most probably the product of a workshop at Mathura.


The red sandstone identifies this panel as originating in the Mathura region, as does the style of the Buddha and his robes. Although summarily carved, the rendering is convincing and the effect, immediate and engaging.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMeditating Buddha (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Sandstone
Brief description
Figure of the Buddha meditating, sandstone, Mathura area, Uttar Pradesh, northern India, early 3rd century
Physical description
Red sandstone carved panel depicting meditating Buddha. Architectural panel depicting the Buddha in the interior of a pillared (or rock-cut) shrine.
Dimensions
  • Height: 36.8cm
  • Depth: 5cm
  • Width: 28cm
Style
Gallery label
(25/09/2000)
MEDITATING BUDDHA
Sandstone
Mathura area, Uttar
Pradesh,
India
Kushan dynasty
2nd-3rd century

IS.120-1999
Bequeathed by Alexander Biancardi
Credit line
Bequeathed by Alex Biancardi
Object history
Bequeathed by Alex Biancardi
Production
Mathura area, Uttar Pradesh, northern India
Subject depicted
Summary
This carved panel depicts the meditating Buddha. The seated figure is represented in an architectural niche which suggests a built rather than rock-cut setting. The small scale suggests that it may have formed part of the decoration at the base of a stupa (shrine).

Here the Buddha wears his monk's robe drawn over both shoulders in a style associated with northern Buddhism. The red sandstone comes from the Uttar Pradesh region of northern India, and the panel is most probably the product of a workshop at Mathura.


The red sandstone identifies this panel as originating in the Mathura region, as does the style of the Buddha and his robes. Although summarily carved, the rendering is convincing and the effect, immediate and engaging.
Bibliographic reference
Guy, John. ‘Indian Temple Sculpture’, London : V&A Publications, 2007. p.26. pl.21. ISBN 9781851775095
Collection
Accession number
IS.120-1999

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Record createdFebruary 21, 2002
Record URL
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