Drum Slab Showing the Buddha Standing in the Gateway of a Stupa. Culture: India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda). Dimensions: H. 48 in. (121.9 cm); W. 29 3/4 in. (75.6 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm); Est. Wt. 723.3 lbs (328.1 kg). Date: second half of the 3rd century.
This limestone panel was part of a series that encircled the drum of a large stupa. It shows the Buddha standing in the gateway of a stupa being venerated by two female devotees. Attendants holding fly whisks (chauris) stand at either side of the gateway, which is crowned by lions. This detailed imagery documents what a stupa and its embellishing imagery looked like during this period. The somewhat elongated proportions of the people and animals and the corpulence of the Buddha are typical of the art of Nagarjunakonda.