PENDANT IN THE FORM OF A GOOSE: Almandite garnet found at Akra, near Bannu, N.W.F.P., Pakistan; probably 2nd Century or 3rd Century AD.

Pendant in the form of a goose, carved in massive almandite garnet. The goose is represented as just about to settle on the ground, the wings being still extended but closing, the neck drawn back and the feet flat with the underbody. The forward half of each wing is incised with a diagonal cross hatching, whilst the after half is rendered in longitudinal parallel lines. The squat ovoid tail is treated in the same way. The beak is broad. The underside of the bird is smooth, except for the long, flat soles of the feet. The stone is pierced with a string-hole from the breast to the tail.
It is a very fine accomplished piece, and being pierced with a string hole from breast to tail may have been used as a pendant.

Bought from J.G.H.Hennesey Esq., 1935.

This pendant, carved in the shape of a goose, was found at Akra in the North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. It is carved into a large piece of garnet and dates from the 2nd Century BC to 2nd Century AD. During this period the northern regions of Pakistan had close links with Greek and Roman culture and from around the late first or mid second century AD became a Buddhist stronghold. The goose or hamsa figures prominently in Hindu sacred texts (it is, for example, the vehicle of the god Brahma) but is also an important symbol for Buddhists, representing the propagation of Buddhism.

IM.34-1935