A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c9.s1.35

c9.s1.35

The Indian Section of the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, exhibits the torso of a male statue about 3 feet in height, lent by Major-General Kincaid, which is labelled as having 'formerly crowned one of the several detached columns erected by Asoka', and as having been found in front of the western gateway at Sāñchī. The material is highly polished reddish Udayagiri sandstone. The figure wears a sash across the breast, a rich collar, and an elaborate belt, all of which are finished with exquisite care and minuteness. This notable work appears to be correctly ascribed to the Asokan age.³ The figure looks like that of a Bodhisattva.