{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O64458"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O64458/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019ME5710/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019ME5710/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019ME5710","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019ME5714","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AT8654","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019MD3601","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O64458/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O64458","accessionNumber":"IS.659-1883","objectType":"Sculpture","titles":[{"title":"Veneration of the book","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This sandstone panel is decorated with an assembly of seated figures performing homage to the pedestal-stand in the centre of the composition. The stand supports a cloth-wrapped manuscript (‘pustaka’) that symbolises the Buddha’s teachings. \r\n\r\nTo the right of the manuscript is a large bulbous jar with lotus flowers, intended to evoke the purity of the Buddha. A burning incense brazier has been placed before it. Taken together this ensemble of auspicious emblems and Buddhist deities represent the seven jewels (‘sapta-ratnas’) of Buddhism. \r\n\r\nThe two kneeling figures are the donors. The man is gesturing in veneration (‘anjali’), and his wife is holding an offering in her lap. The entire scene is presided over by an assembly of 26 meditating Buddhas.\r\n\r\nAlthough this is a small-scale work, the quality of the carving is remarkably high. The sculptor has given life and character to each of the figures by varying their postures and gestures and so created an animated and engaging scene.","physicalDescription":"Stone panel carved with a representation of the veneration of the book, figures of animals and various sacred emblems","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Sandstone","id":"AAT11376"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Sandstone","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"}],"styles":[{"text":"Pala","id":"AAT18917"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2019ME5710","2019ME5714","2006AT8654","2019MD3601"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES373810"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Panel","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Bihar","id":"x29823"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"11th century-12th century","earliest":"1000-01-01","latest":"1200-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by W Porter","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"17","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"53.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Gifted by W Porter, Esq","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Relief depicting veneration of the book, sandstone, Bodh Gaya, India, 11th-12th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Guy, John <i>Indian temple sculpture </i>. London: V&A Publications, 2007","id":"AUTH339668"},"details":"p.120, pl.136","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Willis, M. (ed.) <i>India: the Art of the Temple</i>, Shanghai Museum, 2010","id":"AUTH353266"},"details":"pp.98-9, Cat. 1:27","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Arts of Bengal : the heritage of Bangladesh and eastern India : an exhibition organized by the Whitechapel Art Gallery in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum : 9 November-30 December 1979, Whitechapel Art Gallery ..., 12 January-17 February 1980, Manchester City Art Gallery ... . [London]: Whitechapel Art Gallery, [1979] Number: 085488047X (pbk.) :","id":"AUTH339757"},"details":"p.26","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació \"La Caixa\" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació \"la Caixa\", c2007 Number: 9788476649466","id":"AUTH339669"},"details":"p.163, Cat.127","free":""}],"production":"Bodh Gaya, Bihar, Eastern India","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["IS.659-1883"],"accessionNumberNum":"659","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1883,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LU8496","2024NT5813"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-10-01","recordCreationDate":"2002-03-21","availableToBook":true}}