Goddess Yamuna

 Goddess Yamuna

Terracotta, Gupta Dynasty, 4th Century AD.

           Terracotta used to be a popular medium for small and large sculpture.  Once fired, the clay is strong enough to survive for centuries unless intentionally or accidentally destroyed.  Even if broken into large pieces,  it can be joined together to form the original object.  Although terracotta sculptures are now made in very few places in India,  but Bengal and Assam do have temples made out of brick and dressed with terracotta sculptures.  

           The Hindu temples generally depict Ganga and Yammuna, the two holy rivers, at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorium.  While Ganga rides ocn a 'Makar'( a compound animal--part crocodile, part elephant,  part lion), Yammuna rides on a tortoise, as in here. She carries a pitcher of water with her, while the maid carries a royal embrella over her. The voluptuous figure with down cast eyes exudes grace and tranquility.  Surprisingly,  the almost life size sculpture has survived centuries of destruction and devastation.