Preaching Buddha | Gandhara Style | 100 AD

A prime example of Buddhist art in Gandhara style, this is one of the earliest surviving Buddha statue from the Indo-Greek art style in Gandhara region, present day Afghanistan & Pakistan. Likely sculpted between 100-300 AD, the realistic human form statue has a calm face with likelyness of Greek god Apollo, detailed drapes with hands in Dharmachakra Mudra. This and other Gandhara style statues are the earliest known depictions of Buddha in a human form. Buddha was depicted in form of a lotus, a pair of feet, bodhi tree or a huns - as per his wishes of not being deitified.

The original piece is housed in the British Museum in London

Height - 5 Inches

Original Artefact - https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1895-1026-1