Sakyamuni Buddha

KOREA; Unified Silla dynasty

The Buddha’s monastic robe covers both shoulders with its rippling folds divided over the legs, a stylistic feature of the 8th century the time in which the statue was made. The usnisa is large and domed above the curled hair. Other Buddha characteristics are the long earlobes and the three lines on the neck. The figure’s hands are in abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (wish-granting) mudras. The Buddha’s feet are joined by tenons to the lotus pedestal on which the figure stands. This in turn rests on a bed of opened petals supported on an octagonal openwork base.