Terracotta Sculpture of Two Indian Wrestlers
source: Wikimedia Commons
author: LACMA
Description
A photograph shows a terracotta sculpted relief of two nude wrestlers. The sculpture appears aged, and the face of one of the wrestlers has worn off. The wrestlers are framed by a floor, wall, and ceiling carved into the relief, with some details of the room carved behind them.
Date
Artifact: 5th century AD
Photo: 2013
Information
This terracotta sculpture from 5th century AD India depicts two wrestlers. It is likely this is intended to depict malla-yuddha, a form of south Asian wrestling, as this was the most widespread form of wrestling in India from the 5 to 15th centuries.
At the time of photograph, this sculpture was housed in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Other Versions
Related Articles
Malla-Yuddha (South Asian Wrestling)
Alter, J. S. (1992). The wrestler’s body: Identity and ideology in north India. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Draeger, D. F., & Smith, R. W. (1985). Comprehensive Asian fighting arts. Tokyo: Kodansha International.