Photo of collection object Naga (Serpent Divinity) — Naga (Serpent Divinity), AD 300s. sandstone, Overall: 67.3 cm (26 1/2 in.). Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1943.661. CC0.

Naga (Serpent Divinity)

AD 300s

Maker Unknown

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Naga (Serpent Divinity), AD 300s. India, Mathura, Kushan period (c. 80-375). Sandstone; overall: 67.3 cm (26 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1943.661 The coils of a serpent's body and the bottle of water in his hand confirm the identity of this figure as a water serpent divinity called a naga. Nagas continue to be important divinities in local piety, for they control the forces of water, essential for prosperity.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Sculpture
Formatted Medium: sandstone
Medium: sandstone
Dimensions: Overall: 67.3 cm (26 1/2 in.)
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 1943.661
Credit Line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Exhibitions: <em>Kushan Sculpture: Images from Early India.</em> Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (November 13, 1985-January 15, 1986), Asia Society Galleries, New York, NY (February 13-April 6, 1986), and Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA (May 13-July 13, 1986).
Rights Statement: CC0
Museum Location: 242A Ancient India

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