Adoration of the alms-bowl

A cornice element depicting the Adoration of Buddha’s bowl. There is a vertical socket on the right end of the back side, remnants of sockets are also visible on the sides of the element. On the top there is a horizontal socket for cramp on the left, and a vertical one on the right. The base of the relief is a plain fillet, the cornice depicts a row of ogival leaf-and-darts. The surface is divided in seven squares by six semi-columns of Gandharan-Corinthian type. In the central hollow appears the Buddha’s decorated bowl placed on a backless throne with turned legs, covered by a drape. To each side of the bowl there are three devotees in as many hollows. Those closer to the bowl are represented in three quarter profile with hands joined in a gesture of veneration toward the central object. They wear a garment with one shoulder exposed (an uttarīya?), a turban with zones and fantail, a large flat necklace and large globular earrings. The next figure on both sides holds an elongated object with both hands, probably a garland. They wear the same outfit as the other figures. The last two figures, places in the most external squares hold a large lotus flower in their right hands. The one on the left wears a mantle and has short curly hair, while the other has the same outfit as the other figures. On the left of the relief there is a framing element, probably reproducing an architecture.