Garland bearers

Garlands bearers, typically in the form of small naked putti holding up a continuous garland very large in relation to their size, formed a popular ornamental design in classical arts, from the Greco-Roman world to India, with ramifications as far as China. In Europe they were revived in the Renaissance, and continued in later periods.

Greco-Roman art

The garland-bearer design was extremely popular in the Mediterranean.^[1] It first appeared at the end of the Hellenistic period, and its popularity expanded during the Roman period.^[1] The design reached a peak of popularity in the 2nd century CE, adorning sarcophagi made in Asia Minor to be sold in Rome.^[1]

Greek garland bearer designs tend to be continuous, and the garlands are furnished with leaves and stems.^[1] Roman garland bearer designs are segmented and often use flowers and fruits for decoration.^[1]

Garland bearers were also particularly associated to the cult of Dyonisos.^[2]

Garland bearers on a Roman sarcophagus, 130-150 CE.
Greco-Roman garland bearers, Rockefeller Museum
Garland bearers on a sarcophagus, in Aphrodisias.
Roman marble sarcophagus with segmented garlands decorated with flowers and fruits, 200-225 CE, Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey).^[3]

Central Asia

Capital with a figure showing features of Buddha and Heracles (100-200 CE), Old Termez Archaeological Museum.

Indian art

The erotes or putti holding garlands is one of the most common motif of the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara.^[1] According to John Boardman, they find their origin in Hellenistic designs, rather than Roman ones.^[1] The garlands had an important role in decorating Buddhist stupas.^[4]

Yakshas holding Garlands, Peshawar Museum.
Garland and amorini, Gandhara, c. 2nd-3rd century CE
Garland bearers and Romaka Jataka (25-50 CE), Mathura Museum
Yaksha holding a garland, Amaravati stupa.
Erotes, garland and the Buddha on the Kanishka casket
Limestone coping fragment, Ter, Maharashtra.
Garland bearers, Amaravati stupa, India. Chennai Government Museum

China

Miran

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Location of Miran in China.

The garland bearer design can be seen in Buddhist frescoes in Miran, China, from the 3rd century CE.

Garland bearers on a frescoe at Miran
Garland bearers on a frescoe at Miran

References

^ a b c d e f g Ladislav, Stančo (2012). Greek Gods in the East. Charles University in Prague, Karolinum Press. p. 116. ISBN 978-80-246-2045-9.
^ Boorstin, Daniel J. (2012). The Creators: A History of Heroes of the Imagination. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-307-81721-1.
^ Yi, Joy Lidu. The Global Connections of Gandhāran Art. p. 56.
^ "The garland is a very significant ornament used for the purpose of decoration on the stupas by the devotees. The devotees who carry garlands are called the 'garland-bearers'" Proceedings volume of the 18 th Annual Conference. South Indian Historical Congress. 1999. p. 342.

[SJ116-1] Ladislav, Stančo (2012). Greek Gods in the East. Charles University in Prague, Karolinum Press. p. 116. ISBN 978-80-246-2045-9.

[2] Boorstin, Daniel J. (2012). The Creators: A History of Heroes of the Imagination. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-307-81721-1.

[3] Yi, Joy Lidu. The Global Connections of Gandhāran Art. p. 56.

[4] "The garland is a very significant ornament used for the purpose of decoration on the stupas by the devotees. The devotees who carry garlands are called the 'garland-bearers'" Proceedings volume of the 18 th Annual Conference. South Indian Historical Congress. 1999. p. 342.