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Lid with Seated Male Figure

Unknown Artist

Such vessels were important to the Buddhist community at Gandhara, as pouring water marked ritual actions. Given its early date, this vessel was likely used in conjuction with the veneration of relics that were housed in stupas (relic mounds), though in later centuries water was also poured on devotional images.

Credit: Gift of Spink & Son Ltd., 1999

1st-2nd century

Bronze

9.5 x 15.7 cm

1999.450

Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2025

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