The Buddhist Art of Gandhara: The Story of the Early School, its Birth, Growth and Decline c15.21

c15.21

The same type of moustached *deva* head may be seen in fig. 97—a small panel of chloritic schist which is now in the British Museum. In this case the *deva* heads are more closely akin to those of the Adolescent Period, and this affinity is borne out by the treatment of the drapery. On the other hand, the short stocky figures and individualistic faces of the worshippers point to a near relationship with sculptures of this period such as fig. 98. The subject depicted in this relief is the ‘Adoration of a stūpa’, and we should note, in passing, the continuous garland supported on brackets which adorns the base of the dome—a motif to which reference has already been made. On the right of the stūpa are a male and a female lay-worshipper, the former holding an incense-burner; on the left, two shaven monks. Above, in the background, are six *devas*, the two nearest the stūpa with haloes and lotuses in their hands. Four of the six have their faces mutilated.