Sanchi: North Gate, seen from Stupa, detail of lowest lintel, right side
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Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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As was the case at the other three gates, the basic formula for the post and lintel decoration appears on this last gate in the traditional horizontally-then-vertically-read narrative form, The uprights above the columns are broken into framed pictorial units by the 'false capitals' separating the lintels, Scenes on these areas are primarily of riders on various animals which give semi-heraldic balance to the vertical framework of the gate, Lintels display larger scenes dealing with single subject [sic], These read across the horizontal stone and over to the terminals on the lintel as well, The ends of each lintel are turned back on themselves by the spiral, This lowermost lintel bears the most beautiful narrative of Buddha's life: his renouncement of his princely and worldly position to seek the Enlightenment, Buddha is shown leaving his palace for the wilderness and being greeted at the cities he passes in his travels, From the point of view of carving, this lintel has been treated in the most vivid narrative fashion especially evidenced in the detailing of the figures themselves, their dress and ornaments,
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Archives Series
Basham Collection
Date created
circa 1970s
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This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.
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