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Relief

4th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Swat Valley (made)

The surface of this relief is considerably damaged. It shows two related scenes. The two scenes are identical. The Buddha in each scene is seated in the centre on a high platform in dhayanamudra with four monks in each scene - two on either side of the Buddha. The Buddha in the right hand scene is smaller than the left and this allows the artist to include a nimbus behind the head.


Object details

Categories
Buddhism
Architectural Fittings
Sculpture
Object type
Relief
Materials and techniques
Grey schist
Hand Carved
Brief description
Relief with two scenes with Buddhas and monks, 4th century AD, Swat Valley, Grey schist.
Physical description
The surface of this relief is considerably damaged. It shows two related scenes. The two scenes are identical. The Buddha in each scene is seated in the centre on a high platform in dhayanamudra with four monks in each scene - two on either side of the Buddha. The Buddha in the right hand scene is smaller than the left and this allows the artist to include a nimbus behind the head.
Dimensions
  • Height: 0.21m
  • Length: 0.42m
Credit line
Purchased from H.C.Fanshawe, Esq. C.S.I., 72 Philbach Gardens, Earl's Court, S.W.5
Object history
From the Swat Valley, N.W.F.P; IM.293-1921 to IM.310-1921 purchased for £50.

Purchased from H.C.Fanshawe, Esq. C.S.I., 72 Philbach Gardens, Earl's Court, S.W.5. 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.

R.P. 1921-4789 & 4604
Subject depicted
Buddhist
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. 154, pl. LXXVIa
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IM.295-1921

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Record createdJanuary 8, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O88812/relief-unknown/
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