Not on display

Relief panel

Relief Panel
1st century- 3rd Century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This relief is nearly square showing Buddha enthroned in the centre, in abhayamudra. He is seated on broad throne-like seat covered by cushions and draperies. There is a tiny stool in front of him. His left hand clutches a fold of the sanghati. He is full-faced, with gentle features and his large eyes look far ahead, as though in a dream. His hair is combed back in soft waves. Behind the head the little nimbus is encircled by a flowing tree which forms a kind of niche. On the right and left of the throne stand two princely or divine figures clad in dhotis and dupattas, wearing rich jewellery on their arms, necks and their heads; their posture is reflective and their hands are reverently joined. They could be gods Brahma and Indra? In the background are four figures, the figure standing in front can be identified as Vajrapani by his thunderbolt.

They all pray to Buddha to "turn the wheel of the law" for the salvation of all beings.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRelief panel (Generic title)
Materials and techniques
Talcose Schist
Brief description
Relief panel- Sermon of the Buddha, early 3rd century, grey schist, Takht-i-Bahi..
Physical description
This relief is nearly square showing Buddha enthroned in the centre, in abhayamudra. He is seated on broad throne-like seat covered by cushions and draperies. There is a tiny stool in front of him. His left hand clutches a fold of the sanghati. He is full-faced, with gentle features and his large eyes look far ahead, as though in a dream. His hair is combed back in soft waves. Behind the head the little nimbus is encircled by a flowing tree which forms a kind of niche. On the right and left of the throne stand two princely or divine figures clad in dhotis and dupattas, wearing rich jewellery on their arms, necks and their heads; their posture is reflective and their hands are reverently joined. They could be gods Brahma and Indra? In the background are four figures, the figure standing in front can be identified as Vajrapani by his thunderbolt.

They all pray to Buddha to "turn the wheel of the law" for the salvation of all beings.
Dimensions
  • Height: 0.25m
  • Length: 0.26m
Credit line
Presented by the Punjab Government
Object history
Presented by the Punjab Government.

Production
Takht-i-bahi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Described in earlier Museum records as 'Takht-i- bahi in the Yusufzal country on the Punjab-Afghan border, near Peshawar. (Graeco-Buddhist style).'
Subject depicted
Bibliographic references
  • Ackermann, Hans Christoph. Narrative Stone Reliefs from Gandhara in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Catalogue and Attempt at a Stylistic History. Reports and Memoirs. Director of the Series Giuseppe Tucci. Volume XVII. IsMEO, Rome, 1975. pp.119/20, pl. XLIX
Collection
Accession number
IS.3303-1883

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Record createdMay 23, 2002
Record URL
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