The Buddhist Art of Gandhara: The Story of the Early School, its Birth, Growth and Decline c11.9

c11.9

Framing the groups on each side is a Corinthian pilaster with rounded shaft and moulded base in a countersunk panel. The plinth below is enriched with a continuous moulding of Hellenistic pattern running round the whole structure. From the differing details of these mouldings and of the smaller mouldings below the pilasters it is evident that the three reliefs we are discussing belonged to separate structures. The Corinthian pilaster with rounded shaft is a constantly recurring feature of the panelled stūpa-reliefs of this and the succeeding period. Later on it tends to give place to the Corinthian pilaster with a flat shaft and usually more stunted proportions. On stūpas of the reign of Azes II in Sirkap both forms of pilaster were used side by side.