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Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Buddha Offering Protection

Southern Cambodia

second half of the 6th century

Not on view

This sculpture is a masterful realization of Buddhist dharma. It must have graced one of the major monasteries of Angkor Borei, a leading urban center of Funan. The Buddha is seated in yogic meditation, one leg resting on the other. The highly developed musculature follows Indian Kusana and early Gupta traditions in which the Buddha is celebrated as hero (vira) or great man (mahapurusha). It is arguably the earliest demonstration of this Buddha figure type in mainland Southeast Asia. The imposing scale and robust physique point to an early date.

cat. no. 43

Buddha Offering Protection, Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding, Southern Cambodia — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Buddha Offering Protection, Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding, Southern Cambodia

Buddha Offering Protection, Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding, Southern Cambodia

Buddha Offering Protection, Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding, Southern Cambodia

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Buddha Offering Protection

Period: Pre-Angkor period

Date: second half of the 6th century

Culture: Southern Cambodia

Medium: Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding

Dimensions: H. 47 1/4 in. (120 cm); W. 23 5/8 in. (60 cm); D. 21 7/16 in. (54.5 cm); Wt. 781 lbs (354.3 kg)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Lent by National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh (Ka.1731)

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