Unknown
The River Goddess Yamuna and Attendantscirca 800

Not on view

Salmon-pink sandstone sculpture combining a carved relief panel with multiple figures and a free-standing female figure on a plinth, all in an elaborate contrapposto pose with jewelry and draped garments

Stone relief sculpture with multiple figures in high relief; a large multi-armed female figure dominates the left foreground, standing atop a reclining animal with scrolling foliage below; smaller attendant figures, including a dancing figure at upper right and a child, occupy the background; detailed jewelry and drapery carving throughout.

Sandstone relief sculpture with two fragments displayed together. Left panel shows multiple divine figures in tribhanga pose with elaborate jewelry, headdresses, and attendant figures, set on a scrolling foliate base. Right fragment depicts a standing figure on a lotus pedestal. Finely carved with smooth, rounded forms typical of medieval North Indian temple sculpture.

Sandstone relief panel and freestanding sculpture, warm tan stone. Relief depicts multiple figures in contrapposto poses wearing jewelry and draped garments, with a smaller seated figure below and flying celestial figures above a floral scroll border. Separate standing figure at right on a rectangular base, one hand raised.

Sandstone relief panel with multiple figures in high relief; a large female figure at left wears jewelry and a draped lower garment, flanked by smaller attendant figures including a child; a flying celestial figure appears in the upper right within a circular frame; scrolling foliate carving along the bottom edge.

Sandstone temple relief with two female figures in tribhanga pose, wearing beaded jewelry, draped lower garments, and ornate headdresses; detailed carving with rounded forms in warm reddish-tan stone.

Sandstone temple relief with multiple figures in high relief; central standing female figure holds a vessel, flanked by attendants, with a seated figure in a floral surround above and a small crouching figure below; carved jewelry and ornamental details throughout.

Sandstone relief sculpture of a standing celestial figure with multiple arms, elaborate headdress, beaded jewelry, and a halo, in tribhanga pose on a lotus base; smaller attendant figures carved in relief on a second stone fragment at left.

Sandstone temple relief with three figures in high relief: two standing female attendants wearing beaded jewelry and large circular earrings, one holding a vessel, and a smaller crouching figure below bearing a pot on one hand. Warm ochre-toned stone with fine carved detail.

Sandstone relief fragment with two seated figures adorned with beaded jewelry and garlands, facing each other in close composition; finely carved in warm reddish-brown stone against a dark background.

Sandstone temple relief sculpture depicting a female figure in tribhanga pose, wearing beaded jewelry and a low-slung ornamental belt, with an elaborately coiled and braided updo; high-relief carving with smooth rounded forms against a rough-hewn background.

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: The River Goddess Yamuna and Attendants
Place Made: India, Rajasthan
Date Made: circa 800
Medium: Red sandstone
Dimensions: Overall: 29 1/2 x 26 1/2 x 8 in. (74.93 x 67.31 x 20.32 cm); (a) 26 1/4 x 18 1/2 x 8 in. (66.67 x 46.99 x 20.32 cm); (b) 29 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (74.93 x 21.59 x 13.97 cm)
Credit Line: From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase
Accession Number: M.79.9.10.2a-b
Classification: Sculpture
Collecting Area: South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes: Beginning as early as the renowned Gupta Dynasty (319-467 CE) and continuing through the early medieval period (6th-13th century), the door jambs of northern and central Indian Hindu temples are typically graced with deified personifications of the Indian rivers Ganga (Ganges River) and Yamuna (formerly Jumna River). At first, they were place near the lintel but were later shifted to the base of the door jamb. The goddesses serve to demarcate the threshold into the sacred space within and to purify the worshippers who enter the sanctum.

The Yamuna is the main tributary of the Ganges River, joining it at the pilgrimage site of Prayag near Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Mythologically, Yamuna is the daughter of the sun god Surya and the cloud goddess Sanjna, and the twin sister of the god of death Yama.

Yamuna stands on her mount, a tortoise. She is accompanied at the opposite end of the relief by a Shaiva door guardian bearing Shiva’s ascetic hairstyle and third eye of wisdom. Between them are female attendants of the goddess’s retinue and two flying celestials carrying an honorific floral garland.

See the paired sculpture of Ganga (M.79.9.10.1).
Selected Bibliography: El Universo de la India: Obras Maestras del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Angeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, 2012.

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