NORTHEAST INDIA, NALANDA, 7TH CENTURY

This finely cast bronze figure of Maitreya still shows post-Gupta stylistic influences as can be noted in the more naturalistic and fleshy body, high placed armlets and facial details. During the Post-Gupta period and preceding the Pala dynasty, Nalanda was already active as a Buddhist university and monastery, as recorded by Chinese pilgrims. Scholars have suggested that the Buddhist faith was strongly propagated from Nalanda to other regions. Taking the high quality of the presented bronze into consideration it seems likely that it was cast in a foundry in or around Nalanda.