architecture(disc)
- Museum number
- 1952,1024.2
- Description
-
Disc used as a stupa parasol (chattra) support. The carved underside consists, reading outwards, of a flat circular disc as a gynoecium in the centre, pierced for a spacer of the yaṣṭi shaft; radiating stamens; a row of centrally grooved lotus petals; another row in which the petals are plain and double-outlined; and an outer row of petals which curves into a rounded hump concentric with the edge to which it descends. The petals in this double row, which ends in a tongue-and-dart pattern, are centrally grooved, pointed and double-outlined. The rounded edge is enriched with a cross-hatched leaf pattern. The smooth flat band along the edge on the uncarved top, as against the rough surface in the middle, is a recurring feature with this type of object and can be explained by the use of a circular vertical element or neck round the edge between it and a horizontal upper element.
- Production date
- 2ndC-3rdC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 88.50 centimetres
-
Height: 9 centimetres
-
Weight: 125 kilograms (on plastic pallet)
- Location
- On display (G33/dc50b/s1)
- Condition
- 1.Grey schist, chipped.
2.Upper face flat and smooth round edge to depth of about 15.3 cm, then rough with chisel grooves.
3.Small losses along carved edge.
4.Circularly pierced in middle of central boss which is also lightly incised with 'J', perhaps formed by the addition of a crossbar, and with a more substantial mark lacking a crossbar.
- Acquisition date
- 1952
- Acquisition notes
- Given by the British officers of Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides to mark the end of British rule in India. 'In the corner of the anteroom [of the Mess] stands a Massive Stone Lotus . . .' (North-West Frontier Province, 1934: 315); a photograph dated 1897 shows this disc used as a table-top (Errington, 1987a: fig. 7.5).
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1952,1024.2
