Seated Buddha

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Pyu kingdom flourished in central and northern Burma from the early years B.C. to about 832, when Halin, the capital, was sacked by forces of the southern Chinese Nanchao kingdom. The sculpture displays a fluidity of modeling, with an emphasis on soft, flowing volumes rather than a linear development of form, that is seen in early Southeast Asian sculpture. This seated Buddha originally held both of his hands in the teaching gesture (vitarkamudra). The pose is associated with Mon-Dvaravati-period sculpture and is not found in India.

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