BUDDHIST SCULPTURES, AJANTA CAVES
MATERIAL: Carved relief in stone
PERIOD: c. 2nd century BC

In the earliest carved reliefs of Buddhist origin in India, the concept of the throne is seen in various forms. Some have a flat, rectangular seat, supported on four legs with perhaps an upright back and no arms. Later, as seen in this image, the Buddha is shown upon a throne of flat seat type supported on legs having sculptures of a lion’s head. The seats are stately units with large backrests, arms and legs.