Not currently on display at the V&A

Relief

Relief
4th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This fragment of a vertical frieze shows a narrow secondary frieze formed by an architecture of Corinthian type half pilasters bearing architraves. In each unit a meditating Buddha seated on a high, drapery- hung base with a nimi behind the heads of the Buddhas.
The main frieze has a border decorated with a rather large astragal. Only a small part of the scene is preserved. Two male figures holding a begging bowl are shown in profile. The begging bowls identify them as two of the four lokapalas offering alms to the Buddha. In the background a deva appears from the waist up probably throwing flowers in order to celebrate the miraculous event.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRelief (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Grey schist
Brief description
Relief of Offering of Four Bowls, grey schist, 4th century AD, Gandhara.
Physical description
This fragment of a vertical frieze shows a narrow secondary frieze formed by an architecture of Corinthian type half pilasters bearing architraves. In each unit a meditating Buddha seated on a high, drapery- hung base with a nimi behind the heads of the Buddhas.
The main frieze has a border decorated with a rather large astragal. Only a small part of the scene is preserved. Two male figures holding a begging bowl are shown in profile. The begging bowls identify them as two of the four lokapalas offering alms to the Buddha. In the background a deva appears from the waist up probably throwing flowers in order to celebrate the miraculous event.
Dimensions
  • Height: 0.40m
  • Length: 0.24m
Credit line
Langford Jones Bequest
Object history
Given by Langford Jones.
Production
Gandhara
Bibliographic reference
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. 161-2, pl. LXXX b
Collection
Accession number
IS.186-1949

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Record createdApril 15, 2004
Record URL
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