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1
MOTHER GODDESS
UTTAR PRADESH, CIRCA 100 BCE‒200 CE
Terracotta
a) 7.75 in (20 cm) high
b) 8.25 in (20.8 cm) high
$ 1,250 ‒ 1,565
Rs 80,000 ‒ 1,00,000
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
(Set of two)
PROVENANCE
Property from an Important Family Collection
2
MOTHER GODDESS AND MALE FIGURE
UTTAR PRADESH, CIRCA 100 BCE‒200 CE
Terracotta
a) 9.25 in (23.5 cm) high
b) 9.25 in (23.2 cm) high
c) 4.5 in (11.7 cm) high
$ 940 ‒ 1,250
Rs 60,000 ‒ 80,000
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
(Set of three)
PROVENANCE
Property from an Important Family Collection
T
he oldest examples of terracotta sculpture in SouthAsia
date to 3000 BC, and have been found in Mohenjo‒
Daro in the Sindh region, and Harappa in the Punjab. In
the present lot, the two female terracotta figurines were most
likely fertility goddesses. Female goddesses were worshipped
throughout the ancient world, from Central Europe to Western
Asia. Both figurines seen here have heavy ornamentation in
the form of elaborate headgear with stamped rosettes, large
earrings, chokers, chains, and girdles. Facial features are clearly
detailed, and the hair forms thick locks that hang down by the
ears. The arms and legs are tapered towards the feet. Both forms
are voluptuous, which was considered a sign of fertility.
For similar sculptures, see Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy, “Archaic
Indian Terracottas,”
Marg
, Volume VI Number 2, Mumbai: Marg
Publications, 1953, p. 22, figs. 5 and 6.
a bPROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT FAMILY COLLECTION LOTS 118