The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Lovers (Mithuna)

c. 973

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Sikar, Harshagiri, Pratihara Dynasty, 10th Century

sandstonewith limestone wash
Overall: 35.3 x 34.3 cm (13 7/8 x 13 1/2 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1962.165
Location: Not on view

Description

Along with the adjacent architectural frieze with dancer and musicians, this tender scene was built into the exterior wall of the now ruined Purana Mahadeva Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Erotic imagery depicting couples interacting with each other in various postures were important components on the exterior of Hindu temples. They underscore the infinite beauty and abundance of the created world.
  • 1962–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 234 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 234 archive.org
    Lerner, Martin. “Some Unpublished Sculpture from Harshagiri.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 56, no. 10 (December 1969): 354–364. Mentioned and Reproduced: pp. 362–363, figs. 12, 14 www.jstor.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 301 archive.org
  • Year in Review - 1962. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 24-November 25, 1962).
  • {{cite web|title=Lovers (Mithuna)|url=false|author=|year=c. 973|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1962.165