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.
[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] Roman garland bearer designs are segmented and often use flowers and fruits for decoration.
[2] The erotes or putti holding garlands is one of the most common motif of the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara.
[4] The garland bearer design can be seen in Buddhist frescoes in Miran, China, from the 3rd century CE.