Where Is Stamped Tile with Crouching Ascetics?

Q: Where can I see it?

At the Art Institute of Chicago. About 21 by 12 inches in stamped terracotta.

This terracotta tile from the 4th-7th century CE comes from Harwan in Kashmir, a Buddhist temple site accidentally discovered in 1895. The central band shows crouching ascetics, with a row of geese below and a railing with figures above. These stamped tiles decorated the courtyard walls of the Buddhist temple. Excavated by R.C. Kak in 1920-21, the Harwan tiles show both Indian and foreign ethnic types, which is unique in Indian sculptural tradition.

The presence of emaciated nude ascetics at a Buddhist site is puzzling and may indicate earlier Hindu Shaivite or Ajivika occupation. Kharoshthi script numerals are incised into some tiles to aid placement during construction, suggesting careful planning. The piece measures about 21 by 12 inches. It's at the Art Institute of Chicago.

A Buddhist temple site in Kashmir, accidentally discovered in 1895 and excavated in 1920-21. It flourished from the 4th-7th centuries CE. The stamped tiles that decorated its courtyard walls show both Indian and foreign ethnic types, unique in Indian art.

The presence of emaciated nude ascetics at a Buddhist temple is puzzling. They may represent earlier Hindu Shaivite or Ajivika sect occupation of the site, or reflect Kashmir's religious diversity during this period.

Numbers in the Kharoshthi script are incised into some tiles to guide their placement during construction. This shows careful planning and indicates that the tile program was designed as a coherent composition, not randomly arranged.

At the Art Institute of Chicago. About 21 by 12 inches in stamped terracotta.

Stamped Tile with Crouching Ascetics

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