architectural sculpture

Physical description

This fragment is probably the upper right hand corner of a door frame, in the architrave of which are carved the heads and upper bodes of three females, who are probably divinities as they are shown with aureoles behind their heads (two circular ones and an inverted crescent-shaped one on the left). The two females on the right,who are looking towards each other, appear to be holding sceptres in their two outer arms and a bunch of lotus blossoms and a circular object respectively in their other inner hands. The third female on the left has a damaged right hand, as well as an abraded face, as does the middle one. A chubby, winged putto stretches out at the corner to grasp an end of drapery. Below him there is the top half of a figure in profile with an inclined head and damaged arms and hands which were probably formerly held together in adoration.

Place of Origin

Pakistan (excavated at Gumbat in the Swat Valley, made)

Date

1st century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Carved grey schist

Dimensions

Height: 10.5 cm, Length: 18 cm

Object history note

Acquired from Evert Barger, Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Bristol and Philip Wright, V&A Museum, as part of the collection of finds excavated during their expedition to the Swat valley in 1938. This was No. 75 in Barger's lists.

Ackermann, Hans Christoph. Narrative stone reliefs from Gandhara in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London : catalogue and attempt at a stylistic history Rome : IsMEO, 1975. p. 52-3, plate IVb.

Historical context note

Ackermann suggests that the complete slab may have incorporated a representation of the Great Departure of the Buddha from Kapilavastu

Descriptive line

Upper right corner of relief slab with spectators, grey schist, 1st century AD, Swat Valley.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

H.C. Ackermann, Narrative Stone Reliefs from Gandhara in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, IsMEO, Rome, 1975, p.52-53, pl. IV b.

Materials

Schist

Techniques

Carving

Subjects depicted

Buddhism

Categories

Sculpture

Collection code

SSEA