ClassificationsAsian Art

Fragmentary Head and Torso of a Nobleman

Place CreatedIndia, Asia

CultureIndia

PeriodGupta

Date5th Century

MediumTerracotta

Credit LineThe Ester R. Portnow Collection of Asian Art, a gift of the Nathan Rubin-Ida Ladd Family Foundation

Dimensions10 1/2 x 10 5/8 x 5 in. (26.7 x 27 x 12.7 cm)

Object number2001.001.011

Label TextStone sculpture of the Gupta era, which set the tone for much of later Indian art, is almost unattainable. This terracotta, though only a fragment, gives some sense of the sophistication of Gupta art.

Chandragupta I (AD 319-335) was the first emperor to gain significant power and authority beyond northern India. This period has been known as the Golden Era, and witnessed a great florescence of what is now called "classical" Indian art, literature, dance, poetry, and sculpture. Each of these artistic forms was grounded in Hindu mythology. The Guptas thus sponsored the earliest unified iconographic program in Hindu art, and did so enthusiastically.

The Guptas had a great fondness for sculptural and somewhat whimsical ornamentation on doorways and pillars. This figure would probably have stood at the entrance to a temple or other public building, where it gave a blessing to those entering and leaving. His topknot suggests spiritual attainment, as do his extended earlobes.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, September 2004 - August 26, 2013
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, September 25, 2013 - April 4, 2021
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, August 28, 2021 - Present

ProvenancePurchased for MCCM by Robert Walzer [Nathan Rubin - Ida Ladd Family Foundation], Georgetown, Connecticut, July 2000, possibly from Kapoor Galleries, New York, New York.

Status

On view

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