Asian Art Collection Architectural Relief Central India Central India This carved piece of sandstone was originally part of a larger architectural relief that ran along a temple's facade or wall. The central figure is a deity depicted with four arms (one missing). One arm bears a staff running diagonally across the body, one a water pot, one a flower, and another carries an object that is lost to us. The figure is surrounded by architectural elements and secondary figures. Each figure is unique, with male and female figures visible. Note the cobra hoods over the upper left figure. This marks it as a naga – or snake-like deity associated with rainfall and water. The piece avoids the use of negative space. Ornamentation is often considered auspicious in the subcontinent's artistic traditions. Text by Robert DeCaroli, Director of the MA Program in Art History and Professor at George Mason University. |
  
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