Last Existence: Great Departure

Fragment of a relief originally depicting 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 support the hooves of the horse to prevent noise and wake up Siddhārtha’s family. The base is plain. There is a small fragmentary tenon on the bottom. On the back, large chisel marks run vertically. On the sculpted surface remains only the bust of a bearded yakṣa holding a horse hoof. The yakṣa has a large nose and curly hair.