Stamped Tile with Crouching Ascetics

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.