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Monolithic Pillar
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
The central motif of this temple pillar is a pot, out of which vegetal forms exuberantly emerge, indicating bounty and abundance. The pot itself is decorated with lotus petals, leaves, and a band of pearls. The overflowing pot is a pervasive symbol in India to reference the prosperity and productivity that will result from worship and prayers at the holy site. It also symbolizes the auspiciousness and beauty of the created world.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineMonolithic Pillar, 600s–700s. Northern India, Mathura, early medieval period, 7th-8th century. Red sandstone; overall: 109.9 x 25.4 cm (43 1/4 x 10 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Edward L. Whittemore Fund, 1938.14
