INDIAN
Tree goddess, Shalabhanjika
(1150-1200)

Medium
chloritic schist

Measurements
88.5 × 45.8 × 22.5 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1963

Gallery location
Level 1, NGV International

About this work

The motif of woman and tree is found in Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art and represents the power of nature in an idealised Indian female form. These religions incorporated pre-existing beliefs in female nature spirits (yakshi) which became semi-divine beings, their images positioned in the temple at points of transition between every day and sacred spaces.

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Karnataka, India

Accession Number
540-D5

Department
Asian Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation

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INDIAN Tree goddess, Shalabhanjika (1150-1200)

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INDIAN
Tree goddess, Shalabhanjika
(1150-1200)