eartHeritage – PRIN 2022JL5HLY

Object Information

Dandan Oiliq – D.II.34

General description

This is a fragment of a mandorla that once surrounded a large sculpture of a buddha or a bodhisattva. It preserves two small buddhas standing frontally on a half-open lotus flower, arranged in ascending rows along the curve of the border, with their right hands raised in abhayamudra. They wear an overrobe (samghati), holding an edge in the left hand, and a lower robe (antaravasaka) protruding beneath it. Both figures display a high ushnisha, thin, arched eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, prominent ears with elongated lobes, and a bordered nimbus. To the right of the upper buddha is an eight-petalled rosette. On the left are the remains of an ornamental frame composed of seven sections separated by a double plain band, each decorated with rows of overlapping ovate petals.

Measures: H: 34.7; L: 28.5 cm ca.

Excavation

Actor: Stein’s First Central Asian Expedition, 1900–1901.

Current location

The British Museum, acc. no. 1907,1111.62

Technical data

The figurative elements of the mandorla were made in stucco using moulds, which were then applied to the surface and finished by engraving — for other small buddhas made with the same mould see, for instance, D.II.74. The fragment preserves extensive patches of the original polychromy: pinkish-red on the overrobe of the two buddha figures; light pink on the bodies and on the rosette; green on the halos; and black or blue on the hair, lower robes, and background. The same colours are alternated on the sections of the ornamental frame.

Data Object

Form of acquisition

Archaeological excavation

Location

Dandan Oiliq

Area/findspot

D.II.34, south wall or south-eastern corner of the cella

Year

1900–1901

Cultural context

Buddhist

Historical period

Khotan Kingdom

Chronology

6th–7th century CE

Measures

H: 34.7; L: 28.5 cm ca.

Bibliography

Stein, M.A. (1907) Ancient Khotan. Detailed Report of Archaeological Explorations in Chinese Turkestan Carried Out and Described Under the Orders of H.M. Indian Government. Vol. 1 (Text): 249–250; 292; Vol. 2 (Plates): LIV, D.II.34. London.

Gallery

Other objects from this site