Foot from a Yakshi or Goddess, in Mathura (Indian) Red Sandstone maybe C3rd-C5th

A MATHURA RED SANDSTONE FOOT FROM A YAKSHI OR GODDESS
Kushan–early Gupta period, 2nd–4th century CE
India, Mathura region

Red (mottled) sandstone; length 16 cm (6¼ in).

Carved as a foot from a larger female figure, the figure detailed with a row of almond-shaped petals suggesting a foot or possibly hand(?)-ornament (hathphul / hand-flower) or stylised floral/henna motifs. The four tapering fingers terminate in neatly incised nails; at the wrist a stack of narrow ribbed bangles surmounts a broad beaded cuff with rosette repeats—an ornament vocabulary closely associated with Mathura female figures of the Kushan–early Gupta era. The stone exhibits the warm, quartz-flecked matrix typical of Mathura quarry material.

Condition: Fragment as shown, with an old break at the ankle and losses to digit ends; surface weathering, pitting and mineral accretions consistent with burial; scattered edge chips; no evident modern recutting. Overall with honest wear and appealing, stable surfaces.

Notes: The material, jewelry scheme (stacked bangles above a beaded cuff), and modeling of the fingers point to a yakshi (female nature spirit) or richly adorned goddess/attendant from a temple or railing context. Hands of this quality and scale are comparatively uncommon survivals; the iconographic details and crisp jewelry enhance its sculptural presence.