Celestial Women in Niches

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Celestial Women in Niches

c. 875

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

From the ninth century onward, sculptures of semidivine women (called surasundaris, alasakanyas, or apsarasas) came to flank the central wall niches that held important deities on the temple exterior. These stone women gracefully honored the god depicted in the niches just as the human female dancers in the employ of the temple honored the god rendered within the sanctum.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Celestial Women in Niches
Intermediate wall (jangha pratiratha) section

Date:

c. 875

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Sandstone

Dimensions:

31 x 12 3/4 inches (78.7 x 32.4 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Paul Todd Makler, 1970

Accession Number:

1970-92-3

Geography:

Made in Rajasthan, Kota Region, India, Asia

Context:

Period: Medieval Period (c. 600 - c. 1300)

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