Maitreya Bodhisattva

PAKISTAN

The style of the statue shows evidence of Hellenistic and Roman influence and portrays Maitreya dressed as a contemporary noble. The usnisa is here presented as a topknot secured by beaded bands from which long hair spills down the back in ringlets. The mustached face is broad and commanding and the well-proportioned body is sturdy. Rich jewelry is worn on the upper body, supplemented by a stole that wraps around the left shoulder and drapes down and across to the right arm. The right hand may have been raised in either abhaya (fearlessness) or vitarka (teaching) mudras and the left holds a vase, his other identifying attribute in this region. Even though the feet are damaged, it is clear that the figure was wearing leather sandals.