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Monk Making an Offering
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Monk Making an Offering
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Monk Making an Offering
PAKISTAN; circa 4th–5th century; Schist; H: 43 cm; National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi
The remarkable portrait statue is in the Gandharan style and portrays a monk who is kneeling to make an offering. The left leg is bent to support a bowl and the right is on the ground with the heel lifted. The figure’s gaze is focused devoutly forward. The figure’s monastic robe leaves the right shoulder bared, and the fold wrapped about the left arm is secured between the finger and thumb. The bowl the monk carries is heart-shaped and has small supportive handles on either side of the forward rim.
One side of the statue’s base is inscribed in Kharosthi with the name “Dharmadeva,” which is taken to be the monk’s name. A corrosive mark under the figure’s right armpit, which extends through to the back, is thought to be left from a metal support. |
