A shale group depicting the Buddha with three young ascetics. In the centre, the erect Buddha holds with his left hand the edge of the monastic cloak, surrounded by two young ascetics wearing a cloth (antaravasaka) Gandhara region, 1st-4th century (h. cm 86) on a modern basis The considerable difference in size between the Buddha and the ascetics results from the use of "proportional symbolism" which gives the figures a dimension corresponding to their spiritual and hierarchical level Bibliography: R. Freschi (edited by) Greece and India: the art of Gandhara, Galleria Mandala, Milan, 1994, pp. 24-25 Provenance: Private collection, Milan