Goddess, Possibly Nana, Seated on a Lion
Not on view
The Central Asian goddess Nana (Ardokhsho) seated on her lion mount is likely the source for this small icon from Buddhist Afghanistan. Nana in turn has close ties with a number of West Asian goddesses, notably the Near Eastern Anahita and the Mediterranean Tyche and Demeter. Here, the goddess is represented as benign, holding a cornucopia-like palmette. The imagery of Nana with a lion appears to have been transmitted principally via West Asian coinage.
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