Seated Protective Buddha

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The preaching Buddha seated with pendant legs (the so-called ‘European Posture’) became the signature icon of the monumental stupas built by the Mon state in 8th century central Thailand. These stupas were flanked by four such Buddhas in quartz stone, over 30 feet in height. The importance of this miniature icon of a Buddha expounding the dharma lies in both it serving as an early prototype for such monumental Buddhas, and because of the likelihood that it is the earliest bronze version of this subject known.

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