Northern India, Ganges Valley; probably ancient Bengal / affinities with Chandraketugarh Terracotta Bust of a female figure, probably a Yakshi, in terracotta. - 17 cm

This terracotta bust of a female figure, likely a Yakshi, originates from Northern India’s Ganges Valley region, specifically associated with ancient Bengal or the Chandraketugarh tradition. Yakshis are mythological female nature spirits often symbolizing fertility and abundance, common motifs in Indian art and architecture. Crafted in terracotta, a fired clay medium widely used in ancient India for sculpture and reliefs, this 17 cm bust reflects the artistic and religious culture during the early centuries BCE to CE. The Chandraketugarh style is noted for its fine modeling and expressive faces, blending local artistic idioms with pan-Indian motifs. Terracotta figures like this were typically votive or decorative elements on temples and homes, reflecting beliefs in the protective and auspicious qualities of such figures. The piece exemplifies how regional traditions channeled symbolic feminine imagery into accessible yet significant devotional art.