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Not currently on display at the V&A

Relief

Relief
2nd century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This relief is part of longish frieze separated by heavy Corinthian-type pilasters. The first scene on the right shows Indra's visit to the Indrasaila cave. Buddha is shown sitting in the centre, before the entrance of the cave, deeply sunk in meditation. His sanghati covers his hands. His face is greatly damaged. His usnisa is scarcely stands out. A large nimbus spreads in the cave background. Indra is shown with his lowered right knee, with the left leg bent upright. Indra is wrapped in along cloaklike garment covering his left shoulder and the left upper arm. His jewellery consists of a double bracelet, a necklace and ear pendants. Two further figures are seen approaching the cave. In the foreground there stands the Gandharva Pancasika, Indra's musician who may have been sent in advance to announce the arrival of Indra. With his right hand he touches the chords of the harp that he lifts up with his left. The face is damaged. Behind Pancasika there follows another smaller figure of a worshipper.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRelief (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Grey schist
Brief description
Relief with Indra's visit to the Indrasaila cave, 2nd century AD, Grey schist, Swat Valley, Gandhara.
Physical description
This relief is part of longish frieze separated by heavy Corinthian-type pilasters. The first scene on the right shows Indra's visit to the Indrasaila cave. Buddha is shown sitting in the centre, before the entrance of the cave, deeply sunk in meditation. His sanghati covers his hands. His face is greatly damaged. His usnisa is scarcely stands out. A large nimbus spreads in the cave background. Indra is shown with his lowered right knee, with the left leg bent upright. Indra is wrapped in along cloaklike garment covering his left shoulder and the left upper arm. His jewellery consists of a double bracelet, a necklace and ear pendants. Two further figures are seen approaching the cave. In the foreground there stands the Gandharva Pancasika, Indra's musician who may have been sent in advance to announce the arrival of Indra. With his right hand he touches the chords of the harp that he lifts up with his left. The face is damaged. Behind Pancasika there follows another smaller figure of a worshipper.
Dimensions
  • Height: 0.15m
  • Length: 0.385m
Credit line
Given by Imre Schwaiger, Esq., through the Art Fund
Object history
Given by Imre Schwaiger, Esq., through the Art Fund. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

RP 1912-2465M
Production
Swat valley, Gandhara
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. p.81, pl. XXIa
Collection
Accession number
IM.222-1913

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Record createdDecember 18, 2003
Record URL
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