Last Existence: Great Departure; male figures

Fragment of a relief with two superimposed registers, the lower one preserving the scanty remains of a scene from the Last Existence, the upper a male pair. The registers are separated by a projecting straight festoon between a fillet. The cornice was possibly decorated with a row of rosettes. The lower scene probably depicted the Great Departure. Prince Siddhārtha leaves the palace at night mounting his horse Kaṇṭhaka and accompanied by his loyal charioteer Chandaka. According to Buddhist literary accounts, spirits supported the hooves of the horse to prevent noise and wake up Siddhārtha’s family. The head of the Buddha, carved in left three quarter view and with a plain nimbus, is seen in the centre. On the right is the head of another figure, covered by what appears to be the canopy of an umbrella. This latter element suggests the identification of the scene and therefore, that of the right figure as Chandaka. On the left are the traces of the upper part of a half/semi-column of the Gandharan-Corinthian type, originally enclosing the scene. The upper register shows two confronting and almost mirroring male figures. The figure on the right is holding a shield placed on edge on the ground with his left hand, the right is raised in a gesture of conversation. The same gesture is performed by the figure on the left, who has the right hand on the waist. Both figures are wearing a long tunic and a mantle.