Head of a Bodhisattva

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The delicate modeling of the hair and face provide a sense of the sophisticated sculptural production at Rawak. Early photographs show that this bodhisattva originally had an elaborate topknot, suggestive of the figure of the future Buddha Maitreya. This bodhisattva also had flowers in his hair, earrings, and an elaborate halo embellished with multiple Buddha images (similar to 30.32.33 and 30.32.44). The use of unfired red clay is a technical feature shared with late Afghan Buddhist imagery.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art