|
The ancient region of northeastern Afghanistan
and
northwestern Pakistan was situated at a
confluence of
trading paths along the Silk Route, an area was
flooded in cultural influences ranging from
Greece to
China. After the conquests of Alexander the
Great, the
creation of Greco-Bactrian kingdoms, and the
general
Hellenization of the subcontinent, Western
aesthetical
tastes became prominent. Greek influence began
to
permeate into the arts and culture. Eventually,
the
Bactrian Kingdom was absorbed by the nomadic
Kushan
tribes, who settled in the region and went on to
establish their own dynasty. The area flourished
under
the Kushan and their greatest king, Kanishka,
who
traditionally given credit for further spreading
the
philosophies of Buddhism throughout central
Asia and
into China. This period is viewed as the most
important era in the history of Buddhism.
The body of this vessel is globular in form. The
vessel slopes inwards and the shoulder and rises
to
the tapering neck. Such a container may have
once
held water or wine, or even grain. The exterior is
decorated with a lively painted scene. The style
of
the painting is consistent with other Kushan
works. A
frieze of native flora and fauna has been
depicted.
Birds fly above while wild boars frolic amongst
the
towering flowers. The decoration may be simple
embellishment, or the animals and plants may
symbolically rrefer to a particular myth or
proverb.
This terracotta vessel is a lovely example of the
art
of the Kushans, who ruled over one of the most
important stages in the early spread of Buddhism
throughout the Far East.
- (LO.602)
|
