South Asia: Pala Sculpture and Painting
Artist: unknown
Title: Maitreya bodhisattva displaying varadamudra
Material: copper alloy
Site: Nalanda
Current Location: Nalanda Museum, Nalanda, India
Period/Date: Ca. late 9th century
Iconography/Iconology: This six-armed image of the bodhisattva Maitreya
is characteristic of a burgeoning of emphasis of tantric imagery found at
Nalanda. Although he is easily identified by the kundika (vase)
in his proper left hand and the miniature stupa in his crown, other attributes
and fragments of hands and arms are missing. Therefore, a detailed iconographic
analysis is not possible.
Stylistic Comments: See previous page.
