Sanchi: West Gate, detail carving on pillar, 2nd panel from bottom
Date
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Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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Abstract
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In aniconic symbology, Buddha (represented by the empty throne beneath the Bodhi tree) converts the Sakyas kings during his sermon in the Banyan Park, The Buddha's father, King Suddhodana, and the seven Sakya kings are assembled around the tree to hear the sermon, The carving telling this episode is very rich and deeply undercut remaining one of the finest ivory carvings, Space is handled more lucidly than it had been in the panels of Stupa No. 2, note how the figures stand out from their background and appear to be able to move within their confined space, Previously, such figures would have been irrevocably bound to flat immobile poses, Forming the framing device at the top and bottom of the panel is a miniature protective railing which, as we remember, was customarily put around all venerated objects, Abundant floral patterns incorporating the lotus twist their way up the sides of the frame,
Keywords
Sanchi, architecture, stone sculpture, mounted transparency set
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Source
Type
Image
Archives Series
Basham Collection
Date created
circa 1970s
Access Statement
License Rights
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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Restricted until
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