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coping
Object Type
coping
Museum number
1880,0709.23
Description
Railing coping slab (uṣṇīṣa) carved in limestone; only the inner face remains. -On the inner face: the Interpretation of Maya's dream, Birth of Buddha and Prince Siddhartha in his harem. -Outer face lost.
Production date
3rdC
Production place
Made in:
Amaravati
, Buddhist stupa
Excavator/field collector
Excavated by:
Sir Walter Elliot KCSI, FRS, LL.D (hon.)
Findspot
Found/Acquired:
Amaravati
Materials
limestone
Technique
carved
Dimensions
Height:
82.50 centimetres
Thickness:
17.50 centimetres
Width:
258.75 centimetres
Bibliographic references
Tripe 1859 / Photographs of the Elliot Marbles and other subjects in the Central Museum, Madras
(1 & 12)
Fergusson 1873 / Tree and Serpent Worship
(LXV, 3)
Barrett 1954 / Sculptures from Amaravati in the British Museum
(90)
Stern & Benisti 1952 / Evolution du Stupa Figure dans les Sculptures D'Amaravati
(LVIII b, LIX B)
NHK 1991 / Daiei Hakubutsukan 4: Indo, bukkyo bijutsu no kaika
(68)
Knox 1992 / Amaravati: Buddhist sculpture from the Great Stupa
(41)
Location
Not on display
Condition
The piece is broken into three or four segments and has suffered breakage and abrasion in the area of the carving.
Subjects
birth
harem
interior
tree/bush
dream/vision
buddha
Associated names
Representation of:
Queen Maya
Representation of:
Buddha
Representation of:
Buddha (Śākyamuni/Shijiamouni/Shaka)
Associated places
Used in:
Amaravati
Associated events
Associated Event:
Birth of Buddha
Associated Event:
Interpretation of Maya's Dream
Acquisition name
Transferred from:
India Museum
Acquisition date
1880
Acquisition notes
Acquired as the result of the abolition in 1879 of the India Museum (Exhibition Road, London) and the partition of its contents between the British Museum and The South Kensington Museum (Victoria and Albert Museum).
Department
Asia
Registration number
1880,0709.23
Additional IDs
Miscellaneous number:
Elliot no 1
Miscellaneous number:
IM 1876 no 59