Apsara at Pathan , Gujarat,India
A beautiful celestial woman carved in the 11th CE is seen shooing away a monkey at the glorious Rani Ki Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) in the town of Pathan in Gujarat state of India. Its construction is attributed to Udayamati, daughter of the king of Saurashtra , queen of the 11th-century Solanki dynasty and wife of Bhima I .The stepwell was commissioned in 1063 and was completed after 20 years.
A UNESCO World Heritage centre, this stepwell at Pathan is the best example of its type and the best preserved as it was silted over, it was rediscovered only in 1940s thus escaping destruction and desecration at the hands of the Muslim invaders who became rulers of the region. This stepwell was restored in 1980s by the Archaeological Society of India.
The stepwell that once provided water and a cool microclimate in the hot arid land of Saurashtra has been designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water. The stepwell is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels.
The apsaras or celestial beauties are adorned with jewellery including bangles, earrings, necklaces, waist girdles, anklets and others as well as with elegant clothes and well combed hairs. One sculpture of Apsara depicts her either applying lipstick to her lips or chewing on aromatic twig or applying kohl to her eyes. Another apsara with beautiful coiffure is portrayed adjusting an earring while admiring herself in a mirror .
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Sizes available: 8 x 12″(203 x 305 mm); 12 x 16″(305 x 410mm); 18 x 24″(457 x 610 mm); 24 x 32″ (610 x 813mm)
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