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Collections

Unknown
A Divine Garland Bearer2nd century

On view:
Geffen Galleries, Gandhara and Rome: Crossroads of the Classical World
Dark blue-gray stone sculpture of a standing figure with coiled topknot, beaded jewelry, and a lotus stem, set against a black background
Dark gray stone sculpture of a standing female figure on a circular pedestal, wearing draped garments, beaded jewelry, and an elaborate headdress, one arm raised toward a bracket above, with finely carved linear drapery folds.
Stone relief sculpture of a standing female figure, carved in dark gray stone against a black background. Figure wears ornate jewelry including necklaces, armlets, and pendant earrings, with elaborately curled hair. Torso is bare; detailed carving shows beaded ornamentation across the chest. Fragment of original backing slab visible behind the figure.
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
A Divine Garland Bearer
Place Made
Pakistan, Gandhara region
Date Made
2nd century
Medium
Gray schist
Dimensions
24 x 5 1/2 x 6 in. (60.96 x 13.97 x 15.24 cm)
Credit Line
William Randolph Hearst Collection
Accession Number
47.8.13
Classification
Sculpture
Collecting Area
South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes

This svelte portrayal of a divine garland bearer (maladhari) symbolically conveyed the bestowing of great spiritual honor. He is turned to his left and, thus, likely originally flanked an image of the Buddha Shakyamuni in an iconic representation or narrative frieze. The youthful figure is nimbate indicating his divinity. He has an elegant coiffure, wears fine jewelry, and stands barefoot on a lotus calyx atop a columnar tang. In his right hand, he holds the end of a long jeweled garland that once continued across his dhoti.

Selected Bibliography
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.1. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1986.
  • Perception: An Exhibition of Sculpture for the Sighted and Blind. Sacramento: California Arts Commission, 1971.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. The Sacred and Secular in Indian Art. Santa Barbara, CA: University of California, 1974.

  • El Universo de la India: Obras Maestras del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Angeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, 2012.