Mother Goddess

400s–500s CE
Overall: 79.4 x 23.2 cm (31 1/4 x 9 1/8 in.)
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Did You Know?

The mother goddess cult can be traced back as far as the Indus Valley civilization.

Description

Sets of seven or eight mother goddesses were installed in side chambers near the entrance to Hindu temples. From one of the most naturalistic and charming sets, this mother attentively grasps the wrist of her toddler to gently guide him, while smiling lovingly and patiently at him. The simplicity of garments and ornament is characteristic of sculpture of the 5th and 6th centuries, and the naturalistic qualities of this work from northwestern India suggest connections with the Greco-Roman styles of Gandhara, in present-day Pakistan.
Mother Goddess

Mother Goddess

400s–500s CE

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Gupta Period, 5th-6th Century

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