NAVIGATION

An Ancient Indian Uttar Pradesh Mathura Railing Pillar Fragment Carved of Mottled Pink Sandstone Relief Decorated with Two Lotus Medallions One with a Human Face Perhaps Representing a Nature Spirit or Divinity
 

Pillars such as this formed the boundary for enclosures around the central stupa in early Buddhist monuments. They were first carved in imitation of wooden railings that demarcated the circumambulatory path around the religious enclosure. The stupa in early Buddhist art represents the final release of the Buddha which occurred at Kushinagara in a grove of Sal trees, just as the Buddha was born in a Sal grove. A bed was prepared in the shade of a pair of trees and while lying on it the Buddha discoursed with his disciples for a while before passing into nirvana. Lotuses are often found carved on ancient Mathura railing pillars as the lotus represents the full blossoming of the pure compassion that embraces all living beings without exception.

Ex Private English collection
Ex Kapoor Galleries New York

cf: Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, USA has a similar railing section with pillar and cross bars formed of one piece of stone (Czuma & Morris. 1985. no. 28. pg. 89-90)