Handmade, oxidised and polished sterling silver, rectangular but worn on diagonal, Buddha face pendant, set with an oval, faceted amethyst gemstone or cabachon moonstone. Length 54mm, width 32mm.

Images of the Buddha were not created until over 500 years after his death. The Buddha was an Indian prince who lived around 400 BC. He became a Buddha - an 'Enlightened One' - through comprehending the roots of human suffering while living an ascetic life. Buddhism spread from India along the Silk Road and by sea, but it was not until AD 0 - 100 that the first images of the Buddha were created. Before that the Buddha was represented by symbols such as his footprints.