Gandhāra panel

Description

This piece of architecture carved in schist illustrates three scenes from the Buddha’s wonderful life. Superimposed one on top of the other, the scenes are flanked by entablatures, the left of which features four small Buddhas in meditation. The one on the right contains small beings, reminiscent of puttis, the small mythological figures widely represented in Hellenistic art.

Provenance: Private American collection.