Female Worshipper in Front of a Column Support
This small votive sculpture was most likely designed as the support for a Buddhist emblem, probably a chakra (spoked wheel), here symbolizing the unfolding of Buddhist law. The only other similar object in the literature is a nonfigural chakra with base found at Brahmapuri and now lost. It is known today only through drawings. Our sculpture is in the form of a standing female adorant leaning against a pillar, her hands raised to her breast in anjalimudra, the gesture of adoration. The figure is nude except for elaborate jewelry and a long diaphanous dhoti, which falls in pleats between her legs and ends, uncharacteristically, above her ankles. The pillar is ringed with raised bands at its top and behind the figure's head and hips, and is set on a low double plinth.
Artwork Details
- Title: Female Worshipper in Front of a Column Support
- Period: Shunga–Kushan period
- Date: 1st century BCE–early 1st century CE
- Culture: India
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: H. 4 5/8 in. (11.8 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Gift of Samuel Eilenberg, 1987
- Object Number: 1987.142.316
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
India, Ancient kingdom of Kashmir
9th century
India (Bihar)
early 9th century
India
10th–11th century
India, Tamil Nadu
late 11th century
Indian (Tamil Nadu)
ca. 11th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.