At the Gandhar School of Art, initially, blueshists and green fightlights were used. When did plaster completely replace stone as the main material used by the sculptors of the Gandhara school?

The Gandhara School of Art, which flourished between the 1st and 5th centuries CE, initially utilized blue schist and green phyllite for its sculptural works [1]. While stone was the primary medium during the early phase, stucco (a type of lime plaster) began to be introduced around the 1st century CE [1]. Historical evidence indicates that by the 3rd century CE, plaster had almost completely replaced stone as the main material used by Gandharan sculptors [1]. This transition allowed for more prolific production of Buddha and Bodhisattva figures to meet the demands of Mahayana devotional practices [1]. Other sources suggest a distinct second phase of the school characterized by stucco usage from the 4th century onwards, but the definitive shift away from stone as the dominant material is widely attributed to the 3rd century.

Sources

1. [1] https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Gandhara-art/623635