Posted on: 1 May 2013

Disk Stone with a Four-Part Design of Palmettes and Lotus Buds

Date: 1st century B.C.
Ancient region of Gandhara, Taxila
Stone
Dimensions: Diam. 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)
Sculpture

© The Metropolitan Museum of Art


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very nice...

Technology - " Takshan-shila" (Taxila) & " Takshan-khand" (Tashkent) - from sanskrit word "Takshan" ( Highly-skilled/ Master-craftsmen/ Carpenter (in later sanskrit)). "Takshan" root of modern hindi-word "Daksh". " Takshan" root of greek-word "Tekhno" (Highly skilled). Greek word "Tekhno" , root of modern english word " Technology" . Etymology is always difficult to ascertain but the indo-greek craftsmanship in the technopolis townships of Taxila & Tashkent, may just have been the first crafts-to-industry bridge that gave us the modern word of "technology" . Lets not forget that while " Art" is an ancient word ( common root with "arm" - to "create something" (away from your arm, not for for your own body), the english word "Science" ( from latin "scien" , to make distinct, one thing from another) is of very recent origin too.

That looks like a oreo biscuit :-)

Some design-archeology - Met museum falters in describing this as "Palmette & Lotus" . Its all Lotus here - bud, bloom , leaf & stem, in geometric symmetry. I dont see any palm here. Its fairly common to see "palmette & lotus" in rug motifs & also later textiles. Roman acanthus leaf variations with Indian lotus buds/flowers, is another interesting east-west fusion combination. But Oreo biscuit motif - thats celtic inspiration. Fusion of corporate logo (Nabisco or National Biscuit Factory)+ Knights Templar cross + 4 clover leaf - Knights/Freemasons. ( see - http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/16/the-oreo-cookies-emboss-a-design-shrouded-in-mystery/ ). Interesting. This taxila disc is all east/indian iconography & that oreo disc/bisc. is all western/celtic-corpo. iconography ...

Interesting research Ratnesh Mathur! : )

Any idea what does the lotus represent in Roman symbolism, Ratnesh Mathur?

Not come across lotus in roman iconography, Gouri Satya. Is this etruscan period ? Much admire the iconography of minoan/crete/early-greek period. Many icons - eg. - bulls , monkeys & dolphins - in common with ancient india. And there is a clear transfer from minoan to etruscan. Perhaps, we may find some answers there. Pls share links/reference of lotus in roman works. Acanthus leaf motifs - now thats roman for sure & its all around us today in mosques, mausoleums & gurudwaras...

Tnx. Will post details soon.