Jan 24, 2005
Jan 24, 2005
Jan 24, 2005

Mother Goddess

Mother Goddess

AD 400s-500s

Schist

Overall: 79.4 x 23.2 cm (31 1/4 x 9 1/8 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1970.12

Did you know?

The mother goddess cult can be traced back as far as the Indus Valley civilization.

Description

Sets of seven or eight mother goddesses were installed in side chambers near the entrance to Hindu temples. From one of the most naturalistic and charming sets, this mother attentively grasps the wrist of her toddler to gently guide him, while smiling lovingly and patiently at him. The simplicity of garments and ornament is characteristic of sculpture of the 5th and 6th centuries, and the naturalistic qualities of this work from northwestern India suggest connections with the Greco-Roman styles of Gandhara, in present-day Pakistan.

See also
Collection: 
Indian Art
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture
Medium: 
Schist

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