Gandhara’s geographical position, situated between the Persian world to the west and the Indian to the east, ensured that it was open to a wide variety of artistic influences. Often described as a ‘cultural melting pot,’ its strategic importance left it vulnerable to attack. Briefly in the hands of Alexander the Great between 327 -326 B.C., Greek artistic conventions long played an important role in local production. However whilst Gandhara clearly came under the influence of an extraordinary wide range of outside influences, it was also an exporter of ideas. This is most apparent in relation to the spread of Buddhism from India into other parts of Asia. Gandharan monks and scribes were particularly active in areas of China. According to tradition Buddhism was first introduced into the Gandharan region under the patronage of Asoka, emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, in the third century B.C. The first significant physical remains to survive, including stupas and figurative sculpture, date from the first century B.C. Between c.100-400 A.D. sculptors working in schist, terracotta and stucco produced an astonishing number and variety of Buddhist images.

This magnificent Gandharan schist stone sculpture of Maitreya is an early representation of this Bodhisattva. Standing solemnly with a halo on his back, Maitreya looks into the horizon with a serious expression on his face. He has a loop topknot, a hairstyle common to Maitreya images. As befits his highest rebirth, he wears princely garments which clings to his legs, showing his bare chest. Incised lines has been added to suggest the folds of the cloth. He is adorned with a beaded necklace, various armbands and bracelet, as well as an elaborate hairband. His halo clearly demarks his deified status. In his left hand he holds a beautifully crafted sacred water flask, the symbol exclusive to Maitreya; while his left, although now missing, should have probably been held in abhaya (no-fear) mudra. Similar items can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1991.75; 13.96.17).