Shalabhanjika (Woman and Tree)

Description

The full carving of a flowering tree on the back of this figurine indicates that she is a figure of a nature divinity who personifies the life-giving qualities of the sap that envigorates the tree and causes it to flower. These figures are sometimes called shalabhanjika, "she who breaks the tree," probably because her fertile properties are so powerful that it causes the tree to fruit so heavily that the branches break.

Provenance

[]

Shalabhanjika (Woman and Tree)

[]

300s–400s CE

Accession Number

1974.74

Medium

gray steatite

Dimensions

Overall: 8 cm (3 1/8 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

James Parmelee Fund