Medium: Sandstone
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:9th–10th century C.E.
Dimensions: overall: 29 1/2 x 15 x 10 in., 155 lb. (74.9 x 38.1 x 25.4 cm, 70.31 kg)
Collections:
Museum Location: Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor
Exhibitions:
Accession Number: 71.9
Image: 71.9_PS9.jpg,
Catalogue Description: The figure represents a headless standing female, full breasted, narrow-waisted and with large hips. The upper torso, frontally treated, is adorned with two necklaces, one short with a pendant extending down to the left hip and a long necklace made of beads. The lower part of the torso is turned slightly toward the figure's left with the left leg bent at the knee. The right leg remains straight giving the impression that the weight of the figure rests on it. Around the hips is a belt with pendants hanging over her tight skirt. She wears also a bicep ornament. The right hand is hanging down along the side of the body supporting a scarf that she was wearing across the shoulders. The left hand bent at the elbow, and now broken off slightly beyond the elbow, was supporting the same scarf on the other side. This sort of figure is commonly found on the exterior of northern Indian stone temples, and might represent a specific goddess, but is more likely to represent a more generic "beauty." Such unnamed female figures served to bring good fortune to the temple and to ward off evil; they also represented part of the heavenly retinue of the gods. Condition: The statue is headless and feet and left hand are broken off. The stone is lightly chipped on both breasts and on the left leg's knee.