Hariti
Sculpture
6th century-7th century (made)
6th century-7th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a steatite (soapstone) figure of Hariti, a fertility goddess and the benevolent patroness of children. Together with her husband Panchika, she is also associated with the embodiment of prosperity.
Here she sits on a throne, wearing a triple diadem. Several motifs refer to her association with prosperity and fertility. She is holding what may be a cornucopia (damaged), a child spills an overturned basket at her feet, and overhead two elephants pour libations. These motifs are shared with Sri Laksmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity.
Here she sits on a throne, wearing a triple diadem. Several motifs refer to her association with prosperity and fertility. She is holding what may be a cornucopia (damaged), a child spills an overturned basket at her feet, and overhead two elephants pour libations. These motifs are shared with Sri Laksmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Hariti (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Steatite |
| Brief description | Hariti, steatite, Swat region, Pakistan, 6th-7th century |
| Physical description | This is a steatite (soapstone) figure of Hariti, a fertility goddess and the benevolent patroness of children. Together with her husband Panchika, she is also associated with the embodiment of prosperity. Here she sits on a throne, wearing a triple diadem. Several motifs refer to her association with prosperity and fertility. She is holding what may be a cornucopia (damaged), a child spills an overturned basket at her feet, and overhead two elephants pour libations. These motifs are shared with Sri Laksmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased from Mrs Magrath |
| Object history | Purchased from Mrs Magrath, 5 Welbeck Court, Addison Bridge Place, W. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. RP 1911-2567M |
| Production | Swat region, Pakistan |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is a steatite (soapstone) figure of Hariti, a fertility goddess and the benevolent patroness of children. Together with her husband Panchika, she is also associated with the embodiment of prosperity. Here she sits on a throne, wearing a triple diadem. Several motifs refer to her association with prosperity and fertility. She is holding what may be a cornucopia (damaged), a child spills an overturned basket at her feet, and overhead two elephants pour libations. These motifs are shared with Sri Laksmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity. |
| Bibliographic reference | 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.68, Cat.35 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.65-1911 |
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| Record created | April 25, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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