Kashmir, standing buddhas

9th-10th century, Kashmir, Shakyamuni, brass, private collection, photo on Christie’s

The historical buddha holds a piece of his robe in his left hand and displays the abhaya mudra (dispelling fear) with the other. His sanghati covers both shoulders and has deep and regular concentric pleats.

Two interesting features are the halo attached to his back, decorated with an unusual flame design, and his truncated-cone hair style. As on most Kashmiri sculptures, the eyes are inlaid with silver.

There is an incised pattern and stippled pattern on the lower hem of his garment, and another on the pedestal.

9th-10th century, Kashmir, Shakyamuni, brass, at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (Netherlands).

This fine example comes complete with mandorla, halo, and plain plinth under the lotus.

9th-10th century, Kashmir, Shakyamuni, bronze, at the British Museum in London (UK).

In the Kashmir region the lotus pedestal usually rests on a stepped plinth with a narrower central part.

10th century, Kashmir, Shakyamuni, brass, at the Museum der Kulturen in Basel (Switzerland).

The above is decorated with lions and a yaksha. There is a stupa and banners at the top of the halo.

10th century circa, Kashmir or Western Tibet, Shakyamuni, copper alloy with silver and copper inlay, private collection, Indian & Southeast Asian Art lot 57, Sotheby’s, 24th September 2004. Update 24/04/22: ‘Kashmir or Western Tibet, 10th-11th century’ on  Christie’s

This variant shows him doing the varada mudra with his right hand. His eyes are inlaid with silver, his lips with copper. He stands on a lotus with rounded (rather than the standard) pointed petals. His hair curls are incised and stippled, rather than modelled.

10th-11th century, Kashmir, Shakyamuni, brass, private collection, photo on Christie’s

This buddha has traces of cold gold on his face and neck.