Important Notice

Central India, 10th Century CE
Sandstone
Height: 9.5 in (24 cm)
Width: 5.5 in (14 cm)

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY-NON-EXPORTABLE

Provenance: Property of an Important Collector, New Delhi

The mother and child image is found across cultures and religions. In Hinduism, it has its origins in the mother goddess and Yakshi figures of Mohenjadaro, Sanchi, and Mathura art, portraying fertility and fecundity. Richly adorned, with a stylised coiffure, necklaces and ornamented belt, this sculpture depicts a mother about to suckle a child held in the left hand. The full bosom and broad hips are a symbol of fertility. The mother's expression is that of maternal love (vatsalya bhava), commonly expressed and celebrated in the Bhagvad Purana.

For a more exhaustive discussion on the matrikas, refer to Pratapaditya Pal, Art from the Indian Subcontinent: Volume I of Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum Series, 2003, pg.109

Central India, 10th Century CE
Sandstone
Height: 9.5 in (24 cm)
Width: 5.5 in (14 cm)

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY-NON-EXPORTABLE

Provenance: Property of an Important Collector, New Delhi

The mother and child image is found across cultures and religions. In Hinduism, it has its origins in the mother goddess and Yakshi figures of Mohenjadaro, Sanchi, and Mathura art, portraying fertility and fecundity. Richly adorned, with a stylised coiffure, necklaces and ornamented belt, this sculpture depicts a mother about to suckle a child held in the left hand. The full bosom and broad hips are a symbol of fertility. The mother's expression is that of maternal love (vatsalya bhava), commonly expressed and celebrated in the Bhagvad Purana.

For a more exhaustive discussion on the matrikas, refer to Pratapaditya Pal, Art from the Indian Subcontinent: Volume I of Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum Series, 2003, pg.109