Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts

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Head of Maitreya Bodhisattva

SRI LANKA; 7th century; Stone; Sri Lanka National Museum, Colombo
The figure displays characteristics of the Amaravati style of southern India. The Bodhisattva has a cylindrical topknot that forms a similar headdress worn by the Hindu god Shiva. The features are somewhat course, the eyes vacant and paired with a prominent nose and low brows. Belief in Maitreya is traced back to as early as the 2nd century in Sri Lanka and reached its height during the 5th century. The majority of Bodhisattva statues that remain in Sri Lanka are of Maitreya.

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