Figure

Figure
circa 2nd century BCE (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This doll-like clay figurine with hand-modelled features is a mother goddess. Although large numbers of these figures have been found, their purpose remains obscure. We do not know what their ritual function is, but we assume they served in some way as an aid to fertility.

This piece has a tiny head, stick-like arms and impressed breasts. The most striking feature is the large triangular shape, which probably indicates female genitalia, with incised decoration that possibly represents pubic hair.

This particular piece was recovered by Colonel D.H. Gordon from a site at Charsadda Shaikhan Dheri, Gandhara, Pakistan. The V&A purchased it from him in 1951.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleFigure (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Terracotta
Brief description
Mother goddess, terracotta, Gandhara, Pakistan, circa 2nd century BCE
Physical description
A modelled terracotta female figurine. A fertility icon in which the pubic area is the dominant feature.
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.8cm
  • Width: 4.8cm
  • Maximum depth: 1.2cm
Object history
A mother goddess figurine of clay, modelled in a doll-like fashion, with the features impressed and worked by hand. The ritual function of such objects is unknown, but they are assumed to serve in some way as an aid to fertility.

This votive (?) object was recovered from a site at Charsadda Shaikhan Dheri, Gandhara, Pakistan, by Colonel D H Gordon, and purchased from him by the Musum in 1951.
Production
Charsadda Shaikhan Dheri, Gandhara, Pakistan
Summary
This doll-like clay figurine with hand-modelled features is a mother goddess. Although large numbers of these figures have been found, their purpose remains obscure. We do not know what their ritual function is, but we assume they served in some way as an aid to fertility.

This piece has a tiny head, stick-like arms and impressed breasts. The most striking feature is the large triangular shape, which probably indicates female genitalia, with incised decoration that possibly represents pubic hair.

This particular piece was recovered by Colonel D.H. Gordon from a site at Charsadda Shaikhan Dheri, Gandhara, Pakistan. The V&A purchased it from him in 1951.
Bibliographic references
  • D H Gordon, JISOA, vol. XI, 1943, pl x, no 6
  • Guy, John. ‘Indian Temple Sculpture’, London : V&A Publications, 2007. p.17. pl. 6. ISBN 9781851775095
  • L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació "La Caixa" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació "la Caixa", c2007 Number: 9788476649466 p.49, Cat.4
Collection
Accession number
IS.20A-1951

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Record createdJanuary 17, 2006
Record URL
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