Overview

Gandhara (in Pakistan), where this bodhisattva was made, and Mathura (in Central India), are historically famous for their production in early Buddhist sculpture. The Mathura-style Buddha statue is thought to be typically Indian, in contrast to the Hellenistic Gandharan sculpture, whose stylistic features are its deeply carved facial expression and thick, draping robes. Buddhist sculptures were actively produced in Gandhara from the first or second century (around the time of Kaniska's reign) to the fifth century. This Standing Bodhisattva is dated to the second or third century, around the zenith of sculpture production in Gandhara.