Indian Sculpture c5.s1.t9.2

c5.s1.t9.2

The marbles of Amarāvatī, of the first century B.C., are already of a slightly deeper cut relief, with a predilection, too, for a fuller modelling of the body.⁵⁶ Yet never hitherto has the lotus creeper been so delicately burdened with ingenious flowers, nor were men or beasts given such tough elasticity and elegance. Subtly passionate faces carried by a delicately modelled but forcefully built body, that steps out lightly on legs with an unearthly tread, these are peculiar to Amarāvatī from now onward.