Artwork preview

Four-Sided Pillar with Loving Couples (Mithunas)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The sculpture depicts a four-sided pillar with multiple carvings. The pillar has a square base and a flat top. It is made of stone and features carvings of couples in various intimate poses on each side. The couples are carved in relief, with their bodies intricately detailed. The pillar sits on a black square base. The background is dark, transitioning from black at the top to gray at the bottom. The overall appearance suggests an ancient or historical piece, likely from the Indian subcontinent.

Artwork details

Date:
3rd–4th century
Medium:
Limestone
Culture:
India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)
Dimensions:
378 × 624 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette