architecture
- Museum number
- 1959,0323.1
- Description
-
Framing element containing a tutelary couple. The two figures stand under upward-spreading branches on a large heavy platform only slightly curved over the everted rim of a squat globular pot with a beaded band round the middle. The male leans with his left arm on the woman's shoulder while she passes her right arm round his shoulder to rest her hand on his upper right arm. Both hold the other hand against the hip. He wears a paridhāna, perhaps with the uttarīya arranged round his middle so as to hang down in front of it, earrings, double bracelets and a collar; his wavy hair is drawn back into a chignon, his rather full and youthful features suggest a smile and the plump torso shows raised breasts and abdomen. The woman has a heavy fleshy face and wears a paridhāna, a thin sleeved jacket joined only below the breasts to reveal the rounded abdomen, a scarf, an earring with pendent beaded strands, a necklace, bracelets and large anklets; on the wavy hair are a wreath headdress and a high loop of hair.
The plain frame, hidden by branches at the top, has a groove along the inner edge.
- Production date
- 2ndC-3rdC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 5.50 centimetres
-
Height: 24 centimetres
-
Width: 12 centimetres
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- 1.Grey schist, broken and chipped.
2.Top flat with vestige of tenon; both sides flat and smooth where undamaged; bottom partly flat and smooth.
3.Back very irregular with some chisel grooves.
4.Frame badly damaged on one side.
- Acquisition date
- 1959
- Acquisition notes
- Obtained from a Hindu temple at Peshawar by Lord Conway of Allington. This piece was lot 176 at Christie's sale of 23 March 1959.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1959,0323.1
