Sthavara supporting the Triratna
Haḍḍa, lost location - Figure
This finely executed work represents the earth goddess Sthavara supporting the Triratna. The face, with its gentle expression, shows a slight smile, the hair is held in a bun and encircled by a diadem or a headband. Dressed in a flowing sari, moulding her form, she wears large earrings and numerous bracelets. Adopting an Atlantean position, she graciously supports two flowers with her hands, which support a third. These flowers, symbolising the Wheel of the Law, are remarkable. Each one consists of a seven-petalled flower inscribed in a ring and thus forming a wheel. This ring is itself the heart of a flower, the corolla of which consists of curious mushroom-shaped petals.
Observation :Colour photograph of the moulding made in 1934 from the original and exhibited in the Guimet Museum.
Bibliographical References :BARRET Douglas - 1967-68 - Ancient Art from Afghanistan - fig. 106
ROWLAND Benjamin - 1966 - The Tyche of Haḍḍa - fig. 59
TISSOT Francine - 2006 - Catalogue of the National Museum of Afghanistan (1931 – 1985) - 380, K.p. Ha.1007.74
