Medium Sized Standing Figure of a Bodhisattva

Buddhist teachings tell of a future Buddha, Maitreya, who will be born on Earth to gain enlightenment and preach, much like Shakyamuni. There are various ways to depict Maitreya, but he usually wears jewelry and full hair to indicate his state as a Bodhisattva. This image is from the area of Pakistan where ancient Greek and Roman aesthetics were influential, as can be seen in the deep carving of the drapery of the robes. In that region, Maitreya was often depicted wearing a beaded net over his piled hair.