1961.134: Architectural Relief with Figures and Animals
SculptureThe sandstone relief sculpture is a long, slender rectangular shape. It is a medium-tone earthy red in color. There are large sections at the top, middle, and bottom of the sculpture that show scenes of groups of three people and small sections in between. The top section shows a man on the left and two women on the right, they are standing and facing each other. They are all wearing swirled hats or their hair is pulled up. Below them is a small section of three elephants facing the right. The middle section shows three standing women who are dressed in necklaces and ribbons. Below them is a small section with four sitting monkeys. The bottom section shows a man on the left holding a staff and facing the two women on the left. The one in the middle is kneeled down and hands together in prayer. The other holds a small object in front of her chest, facing the man. At the very bottom is another small section that shows an animal-like face at the center and two dogs facing outward.
Gallery Text
The figures on these panels appear to represent divine couples (mithuna), celestial females (apsarases), and women making offerings to a male ascetic figure or demigod. These divine beings are considered auspicious, and their presence on the exterior walls of temples is said to secure blessings and protection for the sacred space inside.
Identification and Creation
- Object Number
- 1961.134
- Title
- Architectural Relief with Figures and Animals
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Work Type
- relief, sculpture
- Date
- Medieval period, 10th century
- Places
- Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan
- Culture
- Indian
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/202909
Location
- Location
-
Level 2, Room 2590, South Asian Art, South Asia in the Medieval and Early Modern Eras
View this object's location on our interactive map
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Red sandstone
- Dimensions
- sight: H. 102 x W. 21.6 cm (40 3/16 x 8 1/2 in.)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Schimmel, Great Neck, NY, (by 1961), gift; to Fogg Art Museum, 1961.
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Schimmel
- Accession Year
- 1961
- Object Number
- 1961.134
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
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Descriptions
- Commentary
-
Label text from exhibition “Re-View,” an overview of objects drawn from the collections of Harvard Art Museums, 26 April 2008 – 1 July 2013; label text written by Mary McWilliams, Norma Jean Calderwood Curator of Islamic and Later Indian Art, Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art:
Architectural Relief with Figures and Animals
India, Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan, 10th century
Red sandstone
Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Schimmel, 1961.134
Publication History
- David Nicolle, Medieval Warfare Sourcebook, Volume 2: Christian Europe and its Neighbors, Sterling Publishing Company (New York, NY, 1996), pg. 190, b/w
Exhibition History
- S424: Indian and Southeast Asian Sculpture, Harvard University Art Museums, Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 10/20/1985 - 08/01/2008
- Re-View: Arts of India & the Islamic Lands, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/26/2008 - 06/01/2013
- 32Q: 2590 South and Southeast Asia, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050
Verification Level
This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu