Cat. no. 6
A copper alloy figure of Maitreya
Swat Valley
7th century
19.8 cm high
The handsome Swat Maitreya in this collection exhibits some of the finer characteristics of sculpture from the Swat Valley, inviting comparison with a well-known and highly regarded Maitreya in the British Museum (cat. no. 6). Both figures sit regally on a lion throne, holding an emblematic flask (kamandalu) between long, delicate fingers. The present Maitreya once had a halo attached, as is evident by the presence of a broken protrusion between the shoulders and another at the seat.
