A gray schist relief of the Birth of Siddhartha

GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Details

A gray schist relief of the Birth of Siddhartha
Gandhara, 2nd/3rd century
The infant emerging from Maya's side into waiting arms, the event witnessed by three more figures, the scene flanked by architectural pilasters on the sides and tree leaves and musical instruments from above
7 7/8 x 16½ in. (20 x 42 cm.)

Provenance

Private American Collection, acquired in the 1990s

Lot Essay

Maya stopped to rest in the Lumbini gardens on the journey to visit her father when her labor began. Here she grasps the branches of the sal tree with one hand and has her other arm around her sister Mahaprajapati as Siddhartha emerges from her side. The god Indra holds out fresh linens to catch and swaddle the newborn. The man behind Indra, sometimes identified as Brahma, looks on. The final figure is a female holding a palm branch. Part of a drum and harp are visible above the figures' heads, indicating celestial celebration of the birth; for similar examples, see H. Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, 1957, fig. 13 and I. Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. II, 2003, p. 32, fig. 32.

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