Prince Siddhartha going to school
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London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
This charming relief sculpture depicts the future Buddha Shakyamuni as the young Prince Siddhartha. Here he is travelling to school in a cart being drawn by two rams, accompanied by his classmates.
A sala tree in the upper right suggests that this scene takes place in a grove. The prince has his right hand raised in greeting. Although this event precedes his Buddhahood, or even his renunciation, he is robed as a Buddha, with a topknot and a halo, yet still adorned with the earrings denoting his princely status.
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The entourage is followed by a monk with his hands clasped in veneration (‘anjali-mudra’). Nearby a boy with short, curly hair cut in Parthian style holds a folding chair. Another youth, again with a tufted fringe and two side-locks, stands in front of the rams. He is holding a writing board and inkpot which probably belong to Siddhartha. Boards and variously shaped inkpots are also held by each of the four youths in the background, thereby confirming that the panel illustrates the young prince riding to school.
This is a rare subject in Gandharan art. It has been executed with considerable skill to create a scene which both the Buddhist lay devotee and the community of monks could empathise with and enjoy.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- IS.51-1948
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
