Amaravati: Donation of the Jetavana Monastery

INDIA, Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati; Satavahana period

This relief was originally part of a square pillar at Amaravati. It depicts the story of Anathapindada, who purchased land for a monastery by covering it in gold pieces. The linear perspective is absent in this relief, with no foreshortening as the background is extended upwards. The style is similar to the relief found at Bharhut showing the same subject. Comparison with Bharhut relief suggests this piece may date from the second half of the 1st century BCE. Workers in the upper half of the relief are busily loading and transporting gold while the newly built monastery with its monastic quarters and three stupas are located at the bottom. A horizontal wall separates the two times. A damaged figure on the upper left is robed with one hand in the varada (wish-granting) mudra and the other in reverence.