China, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534) / 400s CE
The New-born Buddha
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs The New-born Buddha as sculpture (China, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534) · 400s CE).
The tang on the back of the Buddha's head shows that it originally had a halo.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as gilt bronze with inlays of blue glass and turquoise.
The museum's collection notes: This image of the newborn Buddha is rare and unusual. The common type represents him taking seven steps while proclaiming "I am supreme in the Universe." Here, he is represented as being bathed by the nine Nagas, with both hands down.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe New-born BuddhaOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.