Sculpture
Sculptures Gallery
Museum has a very rich collection of sculptures. These sculptures not only serve the religious purpose of the people of that period but also reflect their spirit, tradition and creative impulse The sculpture up to the 5th-6th century are not many in Himachal but the period thereafter is well-represented. These sculptures are characterized by smooth plasticity, serene countenance and suave linear rhythm. Gurjara-Pratihara influence entered in this hilly Himalayan region during the 7th -8th century and is responsible for production of many master specimens which now find the place of pride in the sculptural art of world.
Museum has a rich collection of sculpture of Himachal and other part of India. A very beautiful image showing the Devi in prasana mudra dating back to early 8th century from Hatkoti. Durga with a large hairdo kumbhbandha and with serene expression on the face is seated in a relaxed posture on a lion who is calm indicating that the ferocious energy of the Goddess is dormant. The sampada and sathanaka image of Surya from Bajaura(Kullu) is one of the largest image wearing a central Asian tunic and a zorastrian woolen belt ayyanga. The Sun god stand majestically holding two lotuses stalk in his hands which symbolize the rising sun. A dagger in the front is suspended horizontally from the belt which is a trait peculiar to the sculpture of this type hailing from the North West India. Another addorssed image of Padamanidhi and Shankhnidhi,, standing back to back. Out of the eight nidhis of Kubera two are important and are usually personified according to Vishnu Dharmottra Purana. This image is rare and seems to have been made in asthatala and bears Kashmiri influence. Another image from Masrur of Varuna, the son of Aditi and the lord of the water cosmology. He is shown seated in lalitasana on his vehicle makara which is actually a figure made by art but look more like crocodile.