relief

Relief of bronze representing seated Bodhisatva. In the forehead a chip of turquoise. Montell 1938, Pl. II, 7.

"It is really not worth while subdividing this limited and fragmentary materia according to style. One special group might possibly be made to consist of some bronzes characterized by a more thorough finish and a softer and more mobile shape than the others. Pl. II, 7 shows a seated figure, the right leg drawn up under the body, the left resisting on the ground. The right hand holds a lotus stalk the leaves of which support an image of Buddha whereas the left hand is hanging down holding an object that may be conceived as a vessel for holy water. The figure wears a crown on its head and on the forehead there is an urna consisting of an inset chip of a turquoise. At the back there are two tenons with the aid of which the relief was attached to a bedding. It is not easy to say what divinity the figure is to represent, the attributes being so indistinct. If the object in the left hand really is to represent a vessel for holy water, this is probably an image of Bodhisatva Maitreya. The close relationship to the Gandhara art is apparent. (Foucher 1905/22, figs. 418-422)." Montell 1938, p. 85/Is