Studies in Indian Art c12.s8.2

c12.s8.2

"I may bring to prominent notice the sculptured group of Māyādevī. Its size is about 5½' by 3½' in height and breadth. Though it is completely defaced, yet, from what remains, it appears to be once an excellent example of the ancient art, being of the style of workmanship which is generally associated with the time of Ashoka the Great. This group-statue is of the yellowish kind of stone, which was employed in the edict pillars and in the two famous Yaksha door-keepers (Dvārapālas) of Pāṭaliputra, now in Calcutta Museum. The composition of the group is no less spirited than artistic. The group consists of four female figures, of whom that on the right is Māyādevī. She stands in a graceful attitude, holding the branch of a Śāla tree with her right hand, while with her left she adjusts her lower garments. The head and body are defaced, but the background above shows delicate gradation of relief in exhibiting the branch and the leaves of the tree, contours of the head and hands show the skill of a masterhand, and her hair falling on wavelets on her left shoulder maintains the balance with the right hand raised up to hold the branch. Dignified action is exhibited in her whole attitue.