Buddha Seated under the Bodhi Tree

Buddha Seated under the Bodhi Tree

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A sizable number of Mon-style plaques of the seventh to ninth century, rich in iconographic variation, have survived from Thailand. These portable, mold-made, terracotta votive plaques must have been commonly available at major Buddhist pilgrimage sites and important religious centers. Their widespread availability and easy portability helped to disseminate Buddhist doctrine, styles, and iconography throughout South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Far East.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.