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Swat: Paying Respect to the Buddha 's Aureole
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Swat: Paying Respect to the Buddha 's Aureole
PAKISTAN, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Swat; circa 1st–2nd century; Schist; 26.7 x 23.5 cm; British Museum, London, United Kingdom
The aureole mounted on a diamond throne is being venerated by a pair of devotees. The bearded figure on the left is Brahma, while the turbaned Sakra is on the right. Both figures are turned toward the throne with their palms joined. They are dressed as Gandharan nobles, bare-chested but for a wide stole wrapped about the left shoulder. They also adopt the Gandharan stance of one knee bent and the other straight. The leaves of a tree form a canopy above the throne, and on either side, apsaras are scattering flowers. This sculpture is an early work of Gandhara and possesses the style of Swat. |
