Corner Railing Pillar with Drinking Scenes, Yakshis, and Musicians

Description

This pillar reflects the influence of Greco-Roman culture on Indian art and the influence of Gandharan styles and bacchanalian themes on the art of Mathura. The pillar depicts female figures who, seemingly intoxicated, play instruments and dance. Two additional scenes are carved on the base. First, a hunchbacked woman pours wine for an obese male fertility figure (yaksha). The second scene probably illustrates the story of the horse-headed yakshi who ate her victims.

Provenance

(Wiener Gallery, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1977); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1977–)

Corner Railing Pillar with Drinking Scenes, Yakshis, and Musicians

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100s CE

Accession Number

1977.34

Medium

red sandstone

Dimensions

Overall: 80 x 22.9 x 24 cm (31 1/2 x 9 x 9 7/16 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund