Last Existence: Princely Life

Part of a frieze relief preserving two scenes from the Princely Life. The scenes are divided by a framed half-column of the Gandharan-Corinthian type. The base is plain. A rectangular section tenon is carved on the bottom face. Horizontal marks of chisel are visible on the back face. The scene on the right shows Siddhārtha in School. Prince Siddhārtha is taken to school to be educated as befits his rank. He proves to be well-learned in all the sciences, including writing. He is seating on a throne with turned legs, his feet resting on a solid footstool. The right hand holds a stylus (not carved), the left lies on an oblong palm-leaf manuscript. He wears a paridhāna, an uttarīya, a short necklace with multiple stones, and wristlets with raised edge. On the left, a male figure is sitting in right profile on a wicker/cane lattice stool with cylindrical body. He is holding an indistinct object in his right hand. He wears a paridhāna and an uttarīya. In the background, the remains of a tree (including the outline of its crown) are still discernible. The scene on the left depicts the Archery Competition. In order to win the young Yaśodharā over, Prince Siddhārtha proves his physical prowess and skills in archery, swordsmanship, wrestling, and other athletic practices. On the right, Siddhārtha is standing in a three-quartier view. He holds a compound bow in his left hand, the right is stretching the bowstring. He wears a long dhotī with an uttarīya wrapped around the waist. The chest is exposed. The head has a plain nimbus. On the left, a male figure is sitting on the ground with the left leg extended to the side. He is holding an arrow with both hands. He wears a short flat-band necklace. On the extreme left, the foot of a broken figure is still discernible. A tubular object, perhaps a quiver, appears in the background and above it, the crown of a (mango?) tree remains visible.