Cleveland Museum of Art

Female torso

Date

1000s

Medium

black chlorite

Culture

Northeastern India, Pala dynasty (730-1197)

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This life-size sculpture of a female figure was likely installed by a doorway or in an exterior niche of a Buddhist temple. Throughout the history of Indian art, voluptuous female figures have adorned Buddhist sanctuaries. Embodying the Indian ideal of female beauty, the form of the young mother with full breasts of milk personifies abundance, nourishment, and productivity—ideas that were considered auspicious and life affirming. Her copious jewels and valuable textiles also visually relate that the good karmic actions of venerating the Buddha and following his teachings will result in abundant good fortune.

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