Standing Indra
Unknown Artist
ca. 2nd century
Medium
Sandstone
Dimensions
a): Head: H. 3 3/4 in. (9.4 cm); b): Body (lower waist down): H. 11 3/8 in. (28.9 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
India (Uttar Pradesh, Mathura or Ahicchatra)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Ex Coll.: Columbia University, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1987
Accession Number
1987.218.12a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite sandstone sculpture, titled *Standing Indra*, dates to around the 2nd century and hails from the Kushan period in ancient India, likely crafted in the vibrant artistic hub of Mathura or Ahchatra in Uttar Pradesh Indra, the Vedic king of the gods and wielder of the thunderbolt, is depicted in a standing pose, though the piece survives in two fragments: a head measuring 3 3/4 inches high and a lower body from the waist down at 11 3/8 inches. Such fragmentary survivals are common for ancient Indian sculptures, offering glimpses into the grandeur of complete temple or shrine figures...