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Life of the Buddha - Birth of Prince Siddhartha
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Life of the Buddha - Birth of Prince Siddhartha
NEPAL; 1201–1250; Copper brass; H: 54.5 cm; Guimet Museum of Asian Art, Paris, France
Queen Maya stands in a graceful tribhanga pose with the left foot placed before the right and the body curving upwards as she reaches to support herself on a branch of the asoka tree and give birth to Prince Siddhartha. The child is emerging from the queen’s right side and her left hand is raised in a mudra. The swaying skirt and buoyant fall of the stole add to the rhythmic movement of the sculpture. The composition is decorated with jewelry that is generously inlaid with semi-precious stones. They appear at the center of the asoka leaves, the large earrings and deep necklace, and the tossing flounces of the skirt. |
