Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Terracotta was widely used in early India to make animal and human figurines, as well as vessels, toys or bangles. The simplest hand-modelled female figurines, with split-pellet eyes and appliqué ornaments, may represent mother goddesses. More refined in form are the moulded plaques depicting female figures adorned with elaborate headdresses and jewellery. The most famous example of all is the Ashmolean’s plaque discovered at Tamluk (EAX.201). Figures of this type may represent goddesses or yakshis, female nature spirits. They have been found across north India, in bronze and ivory as well as terracotta. Figures of yakshas or male nature spirits are also often found.

Plaque with yakshi (nature spirit) or mother goddess (EAX.201)   Mould for a plaque with a bejewelled goddess or yakshi (nature spirit) with female attendant (EA1993.35)

Plaque with female figure (EA1999.47)   Plaque fragment with pair of lovers (mithuna) (EA1993.389)   Plaque depicting a couple making love (mithuna) (EA1998.39)

Female figure with a tall headress (EA1996.64)   Female figure (EA1973.7)   Plaque with semi-draped female figure (EA1994.74)   Terracotta female figure (EA1958.3)

Vessel in the form of a turtle (EA1997.179)   Male figure leading a goat (EA1999.27)   Mirror handle with a figure of a yaksha, or nature spirit (EA1991.54)    Female figure with heavy anklets (EA2000.41)

Female head with sun and moon tattoo on cheeks (EA2000.25)   Fragment of a jeweller's mould with animals and birds in relief (EA1996.74)