Yakshi Mottled sandstone Northern India, Kushan Period

Standing with her left hand on her hip and clutching her scarf in her right, wearing a dhoti secured with a belt fastened by a large, decorative buckle, she is adorned with numerous bangles, a necklace and the remains of an earring is just visible with the tassel of pearls hanging down onto her right shoulder.

Spink and Son Ltd, London, acquired 1979

Unevenly broken from the original attachment, uneven break along the neckline and uneven diagonal break along mid thigh level. Right hand broken at the wrist together with a section of the flywhisk, the right elbow broken and the scarf below is chipped along the looped end. The surface is pitted with small chips in places especially on the left breast. Slight soil encrustation. No restoration.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Yakshis are nature spirits and symbols of fertility and the depiction of them reveal the traditional Indian ideal of female beauty. Compare the style of the belt to a figure published in Stanislaw J. Czuma, Kushan Sculpture: Images from Early India, Cleveland, 1985, p. 93, fig. 30.