Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni
Kashmir or Northern Pakistan
8th century
Brass with inlays of copper, silver, and zinc
H. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm)
Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.44

This crowned figure represents the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Seated upon an inverted lotus that rises from waters inhabited by serpent deities or naga-s, it symbolizes the Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment. His hand gestures or mudra signify the teaching posture and refer to the Buddha’s first sermon in which he revealed the Buddhist law, or dharma, to his followers. The two supplicating figures on the outer edges of the base are probably depictions of the donors who commissioned the sculpture and their attendants.