Buddha

11th century
Copper alloy
Gift of Dr. David R. Nalin S1992.55

In the eleventh century, Buddhist monks from as far away as Tibet, China, and Indonesia went to Bihar, in northern India, to visit the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment and study at renowned Buddhist universities. When the monks returned home, they carried small devotional images, like this bronze Buddha, which spread Buddhist iconography and Indian aesthetic ideals across Asia.

The Buddha, once gilded, stands in majestic serenity upon a lotus petal. His cranial wisdom bump is covered with small round curls; a small jewel, now missing, was inset into the round mark between his brows. His almost transparent robe clings to his body, and the folds at the hem are pure decorative flourish.