Seated Buddha

Seated Buddha,
dated 338, China
Later Zhao dynasty
(319-350)
Gilt bronze
The Avery Brundage
Collection













This sculpture is the earliest known dated buddha image made in China. We know this thanks to the fragmentary inscription on the back of the base.

Stylistically, this figure belongs to
a group created in China from the
appearance of Buddhism to around 450.














This style was influenced by Buddhist sculptures
of the ancient region of Gandhara (which included
parts of present-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, and
northwestern India). Scholars theorize
that the models for such pieces were small
sculptures carried along the Silk Road.
Most of the surviving Chinese versions
are small gilt bronze buddhas.