Title
Yakshi capital depicting four Shalabhanjika
Year/Period
2nd century
Region
Kushana Period, north-central India
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 48.5 x 48.5 x 27 cm
Accession No.
1999-00120
Collection of
This beautifully carved stone capital depicts two yakshi or female vegetation spirits who hold tree branches. Known as shalabahanjika, they stand with their feet crossed in a posture associated with good fortune (swastika sthana). Although often found on Buddhist and Jain monuments, they were originally worshipped in folk cults as symbols of good luck, prosperity and happiness. At times they also appear with their male counterparts as fertility symbols.
