Photo 1002/2(66)

Genre: Architectural Photography

Close view of lion capital, with missing pieces filled in with mortar. Credited to Beglar in T. Bloch, 'A list of the photographic negatives of Indian antiquities in the collection of the Indian Museum: with which is incorporated the list of similar negatives in the possession of the the India Office' (Calcutta, 1900), but almost certainly one of Garrick's photographs: see Alexander Cunningham and H. B. W. Garrick, 'Report of tours in North and South Bihar, in 1880-81' (A.S.I. vol. XVI, Calcutta, 1883), p.134: 'Amongst the numerous fragments lately exhumed at Buddha Gaya, perhaps one of the most interesting is a portion (the lower half much mutilated) of an Asokan capital, representing two seated lions, both winged: this fragment with its plinth is about 10 inches high by about 20 inches long; but the restored capital, with its abacus, which measures 3 feet ½ inch long, would not be less than 2 feet 10 inches high. After making a diagram, which gave the approximate distance between each fragment, and served as a guide to the masons, I built up the missing parts with bricks and mortar (omitting of course the lions' heads), and by this means obtained a good idea of the general design of this important discovery. I also took a photograph of the whole capital after restoration.' See Alexander Cunningham, 'Mahabodhi or the Great Buddhist Temple under the Bodhi Tree at Buddha-Gaya' (London, 1892), pl. iv, for a view of a similar capital seen in a sculpture from Bodh Gaya.