About this objectThe bodhisattva Matreiya carved in white marble and depicted in pensive pose. This is a pose that is seen in the Kushan empire (1st to 3rd centuries) in Gandhāra and which then moves eastwards to China and beyond. Matreiya is a future Buddha and is shown waiting under a ginko tree to enter Buddhahood. Babies are shown emerging from lotuses in a pond on the base of this sculpture, representing rebirth.
Date Madec.575
PeriodNorthern Qi
Place MadeChina
Subject and Association KeywordsArrivals
Subject and Association KeywordsTravelling bodhisattvas
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Lee 1993; Lee nd; Leidy 1990
Medium and MaterialsMarble with traces of pigment and gesso
TechniqueCarved
TechniquePainted
Measurements33 cm H
Credit LineNational Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian
