The Art
of Gandhara
& the Swat
Valley

Between the second century BCE and the mid-fifteenth century, Gandhara was a region that roughly corresponds to modern northwest Pakistan and southern Afghanistan. Because of its geographical position, it was at a crossroads for international trade. This strategic place was the site of many conquests and invasions which gave birth to a flourishing Buddhist art that incorporated elements of Greek and central Asian culture.

A grey schist figure of Buddha Shakyamuni
Cat. no. 1 A grey schist figure of Buddha Shakyamuni Ancient region of Gandhara 3rd/4th century 145 cm high
A copper alloy figure of Maitreya
Cat. no. 6 A copper alloy figure of Maitreya Swat Valley 7th century 19.8 cm high
A grey schist figure of Atlas
Cat. no. 3 A grey schist figure of Atlas Ancient region of Gandhara 3rd-4th century 52 cm high
A copper alloy figure of Avalokiteshvara
Cat. no. 5 A copper alloy figure of Avalokiteshvara Swat Valley 7th century 11 cm high
A grey schist figure of Maitreya
Cat. no. 2.1 A grey schist figure of Maitreya Ancient region of Gandhara 3rd - 4th century 111 cm high
A grey schist panel depicting Buddha and attendants
Cat. no. 4 A grey schist panel depicting Buddha and attendants Ancient region of Gandhara 2nd-3rd century 19.5 x 20.5 cm