Bronze Lord Buddha with Rayed Halo 25"

The figure is remarkable for its realistic yet delicate delineation of the limbs and the robe which seems to cling to the body.  The garment (sanghati) covers both shoulders.  The end of the garment flows over the left shoulder, and falls in graceful folds at the back.  The Buddha holds a separate portion in front that is gathered in crisp pleats in his left palm.  As the right hand is held out in the Abhaya-mudra, the hem of the garment falls on either side reaching slightly below the knee.  A very naturalistic succession of wavy folds appear on the surface of the garment revealing the soft contours of the body underneath.  The treatment of the folds of the garment is slightly asymmetrical and thus more akin to the Gandhara school.  The boarder of the garment is the only portion visible of it, and is seen by the side of the legs and in between them.  The treatment of the face with its straight nose, lovely lips,  urna (tuft of hair between the eyebrow) and the magnificient rayed halo with a flourish has an affinity with the Gandhara school. 

One interesting note about this sculpture is the presence of earrings on the Buddha.  After Siddartha joined the samanas on his path to Buddha hood he renounced all of his possessions.  Thus leaving behind the heavy earrings of his former life as prince.  The Buddha is always depicted with long hanging earlobes with no earrings in them.  The stretched earlobes serve as a reminder of the days when the Siddartha was a prince and donned heavy gold earrings.  The presence of earrings on the enlightened Buddha is a unique addition to the statue.