Sculpture
2nd century-3rd century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A right-angle bracket with two shallow tenons on the base. The relief depicts an ichthyocentaur or triton. His upper form resembles a centaur while the lower body metamorphoses into an aquatic or serpentine form. He is bearded, winged and has a long dragon-like tail, ram's hoofs on his feet and holds a spear in his right hand.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Schist |
| Brief description | Bracket relief panel depicting a winged Triton, schist, 2nd-3rd century, Gandhara. |
| Physical description | A right-angle bracket with two shallow tenons on the base. The relief depicts an ichthyocentaur or triton. His upper form resembles a centaur while the lower body metamorphoses into an aquatic or serpentine form. He is bearded, winged and has a long dragon-like tail, ram's hoofs on his feet and holds a spear in his right hand. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | 8. Relief showing a Winged Triton
100–300
Kushan period
In Greek mythology a triton is son of Poseidon, god of the sea. The use of this motif is an example of the liberal borrowings from Greek and Roman art that could be seen in Gandhara. This relief probably belonged to the stone cladding of a brick building. It still has the tenons used to secure it to the wall.
Schist
Gandhara/North-west Pakistan (possibly Takht-i Bahi)
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA
Museum no. IS.8-1947(06/06/2011) |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh |
| Historical context | Motifs such as the winged triton holding a spear illustrate the liberal borrowings that the Gandharan school made from the Hellenistic west. A triangular relief showing a similar ichthyocentaur or triton is in the British Museum, OA 1889.10-16.2. The majority of Gandharan Buddhist buildings were constructed in brick. Stone was largely confined to the decorative reliefs. This relief still exhibits the tenons used to secure it in its original architectural setting. |
| Production | Possibly Takhi-i-Bahi, Gandhara, Pakistan |
| Subject depicted | |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.8-1947 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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