Standing Buddha-Gandhara Art

The Gandhara art of the Peshawar Valley is known for some of the most charming and magnificent sculptures in dark grey schist. The present sculpture is typically Gandhara in style-marked by long flowing drapery placed loosely on the body with heavy schematic folds. The right hand, which is largely lost, was in abhaya mudra, a typical feature of the standing images of Buddha. He is holding the hem of the Sanghti in his left hand. With abhaya mudra he assures his devotees of ultimate salvation. And, thus, Lord Buddha attained the status as the saviour of mankind.