An outstanding stucco figure of a Bodhisattva, blissful and serene, with his right hand raised in abhayamudra, wearing an elaborate cascading sanghati covering one shoulder, the edge of which he holds in his left hand; adorned with extensive jewellery, including a chain holding reliquaries and a diadem securing a coiffure that frames the face.

This soaringly beautiful sculpture retains traces of pigments on the face and aureole. It was probably once part of a Buddhist tableau, perhaps an attendant figure for a large Buddha.

For related examples please see nos. 282 and 317 in H. Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, New York, 1957 and nos. 159 and 160 in I. Kurita, Gandharan Art I: The Buddha’s Life Story, Tokyo: Nigensha Publishing, 2003.