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.

Garland bearers
Garland bearers on a Roman sarcophagus, found in the vicinity of Rome, 130-150 CE. Metropolitan Museum of Art
Garland and amorini, Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, India, c. 2nd-3rd century CE. Matsuoka Museum of Art
Garland bearers, Amaravati stupa, India. Chennai Government Museum
Garland bearers, Miran, China, 3rd century CE

Greco-Roman art

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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]

Central Asia

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Indian art

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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]

China

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Miran
Location of Miran in China.

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

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  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 (January 2020). 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.