Fragment from a Railing Coping with Transporting Relics in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, August 2023

Title: Elephant Carrying Relics

Period: Shunga

Date: 2nd century AD

Culture: India (Bharhut)

Medium: Red sandstone

Dimensions: H. 17 11/16 in. (45 cm); W. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm); D. 4 3/4 in. (12 cm)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Lent by Allahabad Museum, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Object Number: TS.410

In this coping fragment from the railing at the Bharhut stupa, a richly adorned elephant appears with two riders, one of whom holds a circular container reliquary. Following the Buddha’s death at Kushinagar, in northern India, his corporeal remains were shared among eight contesting parties. One recipient is shown here returning to his kingdom with his share protected in the large reliquary borne on the head of the elephant. Behind him, a banner bearer holds on precariously, adding to the sense of urgency of the journey. Elsewhere on the railing (now reconstructed at the Indian Museum, Kolkata), the other honored recipients are depicted similarly transporting the precious relics to their homelands for interring in grand stupas.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/835500