An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c44.494

v2.c44.494

Gupta art stamp on two fragmentary stone plaques, one portraying elephants and another showing realistically a stag-hunting scene, perhaps to be identified with king Duṣyanta's hunt, introduced Sub-pd IV C. Terracotta figurines are not many but include an extremely beautiful figure of a maiden playing on the *vīṇā*. Another example of a well-balanced Gupta craftsmanship is supplied by a set of three silver utensils of ritualistic fire-feeding use (*homa*). These comprise a ladle, a spoon with handle of entwined rod and a pedestalled bowl with fine-chased decoration. The ladle and the bowl have parallels in terracotta as well, and it is likely that the particular shape of the bowl may have been influenced by Hellenistic *kantharos*; variants of which in bronze and silver have been found at Taxila. A bronze disc with perforated boss at the back, showing a winged griffin, again recalls such representation on stone tablets at Taxila. Typical of the pottery of the Sub-pd are votive tanks [12.11], lids with lamps on rim and an elegant flask with handle of entwined rope design.