Image title: Rider on an Elephant sculpture

Rider on an Elephant
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Terracotta
18.8 x 10 x 26 cm
Acc. No. 68.47

Transcription (not proofread):

हाथी सवार
मथुरा, उत्तर प्रदेश
मृण्मूर्ति 18.8X10X26
से.मी. अवाप्ति सं. 68.47

hāthī savāra
mathurā, uttara pradeśa
mṛṇmūrti 18.8X10X26
se.mī. avāpti saṃ. 68.47

hathi savara
mathura, uttara pradesha
mrinmurti 18.8X10X26
se.mi. avapti sam. 68.47

Gallery information:

These photographs are from the section “Maurya, Shunga and Satavahana Arts” within the National Museum of New Delhi (India). The Mauryan, Shunga, and Satavahana dynasties have distinct yet interconnected roles in the evolution of Indian art and culture. Throughout these periods, terracotta art evolved considerably, reflecting cultural and technical exchanges, and iconography transitioned from aniconic to anthropomorphic depictions in Buddhist contexts. These dynasties collectively influenced the stylistic and thematic growth of Indian art.