Browse Archive Items (13 total)

Description: This nagini (female cobra) relief with a single cobra hood on the side of her head lies near an old sluice at Eruvava in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. A few pieces of the central male cobra lie scattered in the area and the second female companion is missing. The sculpture is in a very wasted condition, but it is clear that she flanked the naga (cobra) on his left. The sculpture may be dated to the middle Anuradhapura period (ca. 6th-7th century A.D.) according to archaeologists.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: A sculpture of a naga (cobra) of unknown date, at the Colombo National Museum, is this lime stone relief, flanked by two naginis (female cobras) with single hoods. The naginis are supportive of the central cobra.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: Nagas (cobras) and naginis (female cobras) as guardians: Nagas (cobras) are a clearly identifiable set of guardians of mostly Buddhist establishments and sometimes of secular structures such as tanks. This stone relief of a naga (cobra) with his two female companions on either side is said to be from Polonnaruva, Sri Lanka. It is now at the Colombo National Museum. Scholars have suggested a date in the early Polonnaruva period (ca. 10th-11th century A.D.).

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting