Ancient stone sculpture of Goddess of 6th - 7th Century A.D. discovered in Indian Kashmir





Ancient sculpture of Goddess Lakshmi




Srinagar, August 01(Vijay Kumar) - In Indian Kashmir, J & K Police department discovered an ancient and magnificent stone sculpture of Goddess Lakshmi from an ancient spring at Village Nagabal Lesser in Kokernag area of South Kashmir. The sculpture is brilliantly carved in limestone (slightly brownish in colour) measuring 9-inches in height and 5-inches in width. The deity is seated on a lotus throne placed in between two lions. The main sculpture is enclosed in a stone frame and the top of which projects in the shape of elephant motifs, towards the head of the deity. However, the right top of the right side is missing. The deity is holding lotus stuck in her right hand, cornucopia in her left hand and shown with smiling face and wearing a very impressive dress. The deity is also shown wearing a necklace with a typical crown mostly seen in Kashmiri sculptures. The drapery covering the lower body of the sculpture does not pass through its shoulders but passes beneath the chest of the deity within series of folds and falls.
The carving and costumes of the sculpture is a pure reflection of Gandhara Art, and speaks high of skilled craftsmanship of the ancient art of Kashmir.

The preliminary study of the sculpture dates the artifact between 6th - 7th Century A.D. and places it very near to the sculptures previously found at Bijbehara, Anantnag, Kashmir. This is the only kind of artifact found from the Lesser Kokernag area of South Kashmir so far and the presence of pottery in an around Village Lesser reveals that there had been some ancient settlements which requires further examination. The department appreciates the efforts of the J & K Police department and Police Station Kokernag, in particular for recovery of the artifact which shall be shortly on display in the SPS Museum, Srinagar for the general public.



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