Bodhisattva in Tuṣita Heaven

A panel depicting the Bodhisattva in Tuṣīta Heaven. The base is a plain fillet. The back side shows deep parallel vertical chisel marks. The scene represents the Bodhisattva in Tuṣita Heaven. Tuṣita is the abode of the deities and bodhisattva. The buddha-to-be Maitreya resides here, as the other bodhisattvas before they are reborn in the human realm as buddhas. Also Śākyamuni resided in Tuśita before his last existence. The bodhisattva is sitting in padmāsana on canopied throne with lion shaped legs, a drape hanging from the front and telamon type columns for the canopy. There is a small footstool in front of the throne. Of the bodhisattva only remain scant details and the outline. He originally had a plain nimbus. On each side of the bodhisattva there are a princely figure seated with feet resting on a footstool, and a standing figure. The ones on the right are better preserved, showing their attire of Indian type with paridhāna and uttarīya, completed with jewellery (necklace, earrings and bracelets). Behind them, on the upper part of the relief, there is a balcony on each side where three female figures stand holding unidentified objects in their hands. The parapet of the balcony on the right is depicted as a chequered grid with alternating relief squares, the balcony on the opposite side has a railing parapet.