Tree Spirit Deity (Yakshi), 1st–2nd century, India (Uttar Pradesh, Mathura region), Red sandstone, H. 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm); W. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); D. 5 in. (12.7 cm), Sculpture, This double-sided bracket (vrksadevata) for a gateway (torana) is decorated on either side with a tree-spirit deity known as a yakshi, who holds a flowering tree as a symbol of her fecundity. Her pose is that of salabhanjika ('breaking a branch of the sala tree'): grasping a branch, she thus engages with the fertility of the earth, bringing the tree into flower
Keywords:
Tree Spirit Deity, Yakshi, 1st–2nd century, India, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura region, Red sandstone, H, 13 3/4, 34.9 cm, W, 12 1/2, 31.8, D, 5, 12.7, Sculpture, double-sided, bracket, vrksadevata, gateway, torana, decorated, side, tree-spirit deity, yakshi, holds, flowering tree, symbol, fecundity, pose, salabhanjika, breaking, branch, sala grasping, thus engages, fertility, earth, bringing, tree, flower
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