The Buddhist Art of Gandhara: The Story of the Early School, its Birth, Growth and Decline c9.14

c9.14

A typical specimen of the earlier brackets is fig. 21, which takes the form of a winged *deva*, with hands in front of breast, holding an uncertain offering. The *deva* is wearing bangles, long and short necklaces, and a shawl, which is drawn across the back and through the arms, leaving the front of the body bare. On the head is a broad, tasselled bandeau. The legs are missing from below the knees. Observe the roughness of the modelling, the careless portrayal of the folds of the shawl, and the wide-open, prominent eyes.