Gallery 330, Asian Art, third floor (McPhail Gallery)
Main Building
Gallery 330, Asian Art, third floor (McPhail Gallery)
Main Building
Harshagiri, the Hill of Joy, rises above the plains near the Indian city of Sikar, in Rajasthan. The hill was the site of a large temple complex dedicated to the god Shiva Harshanatha (Shiva as the god of joy). This celestial woman, from the exterior wall of one of the temples, rests on a wide lotus flower that grows directly from the wall plane. She stretches to grasp the thick stalk of a second lotus plant, taking a pose reflecting the early Indian female nature spirit known as a yakshi. One of her two squat attendants holds up to her a stringed musical instrument (vina). Scenes of celestial music and dance are abundant on this temple to the god of joy.
Gallery 330, Asian Art, third floor (McPhail Gallery)
Title: | A Celestial Woman Attendant with a Vina (Stringed Instrument) Probably from the exterior of the lower tower or basement of the Purana Mahadeva temple, Harshanatha temple complex |
Date: | 956-973 |
Artist: | Artist/maker unknown, Indian |
Medium: | Sandstone |
Dimensions: | 25 1/8 x 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (63.8 x 26.7 x 18.4 cm) Weight: 99.6 lb. (45.18 kg) |
Classification: | Sculpture |
Credit Line: | Purchased from the Stella Kramrisch Collection with funds contributed by R. Sturgis Ingersoll, Nelson Rockefeller, and other generous donors, the bequest of Sophia Cadwalader, the Popular Subscription Fund, and proceeds from the sale of deaccessioned works of art, 1956 |
Accession Number: | 1956-75-12 |
Geography: | Made in Purana Mahadeva Temple complex, Harshagiri, Harshnatha, Sikar, Sikar, Rajasthan, India, Asia |
Context: | Dynasty: Chahamana Dynasty Period: Medieval Period (c. 600 - c. 1300) |
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Gallery 330, Asian Art, third floor (McPhail Gallery)
Main Building