Figure of Mother Goddess
Charsadda, Pakistan, 1st century BCE-1st century CE
This terracotta figurine depicts a female deity or mother goddess. The frontal and symmetrical posture is characteristic of a type of hand-modelled archaic fertility figure. Typically these figures had applied slit-pellet eyes, flat bodies with diminutive but prominent breasts, wide hips, and short outspread arms. An incised vertical line suggested the legs.
The person who hand-modelled this figurine has applied high relief decoration to the flat form. Here applied incised florets and leaves form an elaborate headdress. This, together with the incised jewellery and applied costume, combine to create a highly ornate image of a fertility goddess.














