Birth of the Buddha
Date2nd-3rd century
Maker
Pakistani
or
Label TextSome of the most popular themes in Gandharan art are scenes from the life of the Buddha. In this relief fragment, the attendants at his birth witness the wondrous event. Queen Maya had conceived the future Buddha by dreaming that a six-tusked white elephant entered her side. It was prophesied that the future child would become a great world leader. The figure on the right is the Vedic god, Indra, dressed in princely garb, ready to receive the newborn child on a folded towel.
Queen Maya gave birth in a garden under a sala tree. The child emerged from her right hip and miraculously took seven steps, stating, "No further births have I to endure, for this is my last body.''
Object number44.46
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Indian Buddhist Sculpture", February 3 - August 20, 1990, (02/03/1990 - 08/20/1990)Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection
Dimensions11 3/4 x 9 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. (29.85 x 23.5 x 8.89 cm)
MediumSchist
Pakistani
ca. 2nd-3rd century
Object number: 44.58
Pakistani
2nd -3rd century
Object number: 39.34
Indian
ca. mid-9th century
Object number: 39.35
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