Untitled

Unknown

ca. 1st century BCE · Red sandstone · Asian Art

These lotuses were part of a wish-fulfilling vine at the top of a high railing (vedika), which enclosed the sacred precinct of the Bharhut stupa (relic mound). This vedika was also embellished with some of the earliest reliefs illustrating past lives of the Buddha (jatakas), depictions of major life events, and local deities (yakshis and yakshas). The lotus is an auspicious symbol that alludes to the Buddha's enlightenment. The row of hanging bells at the bottom is likely a translation into stone of an earlier actual architectural embellishment.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1st century BCE

Medium

Red sandstone

Culture

India (Madhya Pradesh)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Morse, 1972