Figure of Ardoxsho or Hariti
Medium:Carved grey schist
Geography: Gandhara, Pakistan
Date: 2nd century AD
Period: Kushan Period
Dimensions:12.7 x 9.5 x 3.4 cm
Object number: 951.140.4
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. R. W. Ralfe
Gallery Location:Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery
DescriptionThis small sculpture of a goddess is shown crowned and dressed in a thick tunic seated frontally on a throne. She holds a long cornucopia in her left hand, a symbol of fertility adapted from Greek mythology. Since her right hand is missing, it is difficult to tell if the sculpture represents the Iranian godess Ardoxsho, popular on Kushana coins, or the Buddhist goddess Hariti. The latter goddess became popular in Gandharan art as a mother-figure and was often surrounded by children.
