Artist: unknown
Title: Seated Buddha
Material: gilt bronze
Site: unknown
Current Location: Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
Period/Date: Dated 338 C.E.
Iconography/Iconology: Little is known regarding the use of images in early Chinese Buddhism. This figure, one of the largest surviving, from the 4th century contains a date and dedication inscribed at the back. However, the purpose for making the image is not stated. Because of its size it was likel;y placed in a shrine where it would receive offerings. The mudra that figure makes with the hands apparently held vertically on the lap has not been identified in the literature by a specific name. It is closely related to the meditation gesture, or dhyana mudra in which both hands are placed flat on the lap, with the right hand over the left. Thus the gesture is markedly different from dhyana mudra. Given the fact that even by as early as the 4th century highly specific meanings for mudras had evolved in Buddhism, the interpretation of this gesture must remain uncertain.
Stylistic Comments: Although images of this type are compared to those of the Indian Gandharan idiom, many significant differences between the two types are apparent. Specifically, this sculpture and most others like it have distinctly east Asian facial features, a heavier body than Gandharan prototypes, and radically different drapery. The Gandharan body type is anatomically more accurately developed and shows through the drapery. The drapery itself, in the 338 C.E. Buddha is extremely flat and schematized, having been reduced to a series of "U"-shaped abstractions. However, in 3rd and 4th century Gandharan sculpture, the Buddha's robes are shown in idealized realistic portrayals, suggesting carefully arranged cloth flowing over the human form.
