An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Corner Railing Pillar with Drinking Scenes, Yakshis, and Musicians100s CE
This pillar reflects the influence of Greco-Roman culture on Indian art and the influence of Gandharan styles and bacchanalian themes on the art of Mathura. The pillar depicts female figures who, seemingly intoxicated, play instruments and dance. Two additional scenes are carved on the base. First, a hunchbacked woman pours wine for an obese male fertility figure (<em>yaksha</em>). The second scene probably illustrates the story of the horse-headed yakshi who ate her victims.
The celestial musicians, who play a lyre, castanets, and a triangular harp, evoke bacchanalian connotations.
red sandstone
Overall: 80 x 22.9 x 24 cm (31 1/2 x 9 x 9 7/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the hushed dimness of a gallery, a pillar rises like a sentinel of time, bearing witness to the mingling of cultures—an echo of ancient worlds where Greco-Roman influence brushed against the rich tapestry of Indian artistry. Each carved figure tells a story, pulling you into a lush realm where the elegantly intoxicated dance of life unfolds.
At first glance, the female figures, lost in the embrace of music, appear as if plucked from the very heart of a joyous celebration. Their laughter dances through the air, much like the notes flowing from the instruments they wield. Here, the essence of the bacchanalian spirit, once fervently celebrated across distant lands, intertwines with Mathura's artistic roots—a vibrant reminder of humanity’s penchant for revelry and connection.
As your eyes roam down the column, you find fresh narratives etched on the base—scenes that speak of peculiar experiences. In one, a hunchbacked woman leans with purpose, her hands steady as she pours wine for a rotund figure, a representation of fertility known as a yaksha. His form embodies abundance, and in this intimate act, a thread of ancient societal rituals unfolds, whispering of earthly pleasures and communal gatherings.
But the other scene, darker and laden with a foreboding allure, features a horse-headed yakshi—a creature of enchantment and menace. This figure, veiled in mystery, is said to have consumed her victims. The chilling contrast to the lively revelry above her taps into the duality of existence, where joy often dances hand in hand with danger.
Standing before this pillar, one can't help but ponder the stories entwined within each carving. The echoes of laughter, the clinking of goblets, and the shadows of myths steeped in caution invite reflection on the nature of humanity, its desires, and the timeless dance between ecstasy and peril. Each mark etched into the stone not only stands as a testament to the art of the past but also mirrors our own journeys as we strive to resonate with the stories that define us.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
The best place to view Cleveland Museum of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.