Box Lid with a Bull

5th–6th century
Not on view
Box lids are a rare Gandharan example of non-religious art. The animal surrounded by swirling foliage is a motif originally found in north India. Such luxury objects moved readily along the trade routes to Afghanistan and Central Asia and are the clear source for images such as the goose with foliate tale from the Khotan site of Pialma (see 30.32.8).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Box Lid with a Bull
  • Date: 5th–6th century
  • Culture: Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
  • Medium: Phyllitic brown schist
  • Dimensions: Gr. H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Gift of Samuel Eilenberg, 1987
  • Object Number: 1987.142.120
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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