We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Torso of a woman, possibly the goddess Lakshmi

2nd century-3rd century

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Mathura → Uttar Pradesh → India
    Cultural origin
    Mathuran style
    Period
    Kushan period mid 1st century - early 5th century
    Date
    2nd century-3rd century
    Media category
    Sculpture
    Materials used
    mottled red sandstone
    Dimensions
    32.0 x 22.0 x 16.5 cm object; 36.3 x 22.0 x 16.5 cm object and stand
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    D G Wilson Bequest Fund 2000
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    12.2000
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This Mathuran torso fashioned from mottled red sandstone depicts a woman touching her right breast with her left hand. The size of this torso and the fact that it appears to have been modelled in the round suggests that this image might have been that of a goddess. The breast-touching motif is usually associated with the goddess Shri or Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance and fertility, although the absence of other attributes makes this difficult to ascertain.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, February 2000

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication

    • Pratapaditya Pal, Orientations, 'Sensuous Spirituality: Hindu and Buddhist Art from the Indic Cultural Realm', pg. 80-87, Hong Kong, Sep 2000, 85 (colour illus.). fig.9

  • Provenance

    The provenance of this work is under review and records will be updated as new details become available. The Gallery welcomes any information. Contact provenance@ag.nsw.gov.au

    Alex Biancardi, pre 1990

    Private Collection, 2000, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia