A large gilt copper repousse figure of Durga

NEPAL, CIRCA 17TH CENTURY

Details

A large gilt copper repousse figure of Durga
Nepal, circa 17th century
Striding in alidhasana with her hands radiating about her in mudras and holding various weapons and implements, clad in an openwork beaded apron over a long dhoti and scaled armor, the face with a gentle smile and downcast expression, centered by the third eye and surmounted by an elaborate skull and foliate tiara
21 in. (53.3 cm.) high

Provenance

A distinguished private collection, New Jersey, acquired from Sotheby's New York, 23 March 1995, lot 40

Literature

Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 30584

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Lot Essay

This figure depicts Durga, as Mahishasuramardini, or "killer of the buffalo demon," as evidenced by the armor she wears. As the cosmic Magna mater, she combines the energy of all the gods into one form to defeat the wicked buffalo demon, Mahisha. She holds the weapons given to her by the gods, among them the trident from Shiva, the chakra from Vishnu, and Vayu's bow and arrow. She remains the most important and popular form of the great goddess known generically as Devi or Shakti.

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