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Not currently on display at the V&A

fragment

Fragment
Probably middle of 2nd century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Northwest Frontier (made)

In the centre stands the Buddha surrounded by a halo, his head turned to the right in profile and slightly bent forward in order to touch the forehead of the enraged elephant, Nalagiri, with his right hand to calm the animal. The elephant has lowered his trunk peacefully. To the left of the Buddha is Vajrapani, holding a thunderbolt in his right hand, and a young worshipper.


Object details

Categories
Animals and Wildlife
Buddhism
Sculpture
Object type
Fragment
Titlefragment (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Talcose schist
Hand Carving
Brief description
Fragment showing the story of Nalagari elephant, early 2nd century, talcose schist, Takht-i-Bahi
Physical description
In the centre stands the Buddha surrounded by a halo, his head turned to the right in profile and slightly bent forward in order to touch the forehead of the enraged elephant, Nalagiri, with his right hand to calm the animal. The elephant has lowered his trunk peacefully. To the left of the Buddha is Vajrapani, holding a thunderbolt in his right hand, and a young worshipper.
Dimensions
  • Height: 0.315m
  • Length: 0.265m
Style
Gandhara Style
Credit line
Presented by the Punjab Government
Object history
Presented by the Punjab Government.
Production
From a monastery in Takht-i-Bahi, near Peshawar
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. pp.93-94 pl. XXIXa
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IS.3302-1883

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Record createdNovember 13, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85613/fragment-fragment-unknown/
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