AN EAST JAVANESE, MAJAPAHIT STYLE, VULCANIC STONE HEAD OF PARVATI OR DURGA, the face with downcast expression, raised curved eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, pouting lips, elongated earlobes with large earrings, wearing a high octagonal headdress, carved with a lotus on top, a five-leaved diadem, carved with jewellery, circa 14th Century

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AN EAST JAVANESE, MAJAPAHIT STYLE, VULCANIC STONE HEAD OF PARVATI OR DURGA, the face with downcast expression, raised curved eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, pouting lips, elongated earlobes with large earrings, wearing a high octagonal headdress, carved with a lotus on top, a five-leaved diadem, carved with jewellery, circa 14th Century
35 cm high

Lot Essay

The face, though damaged, still shows delicate features suggestive of feminity. The third eye may identify the figure as Parvati, Siva's consort, or as Durga: the warlike aspect of the same goddess. Similar representations are known from the high period of Majapahit in the fourteenth century. One of them, found at Chandi Rimbi, has been identified as the posthumous image of the chief queen of the founder of the kingdom
The rich and beautiful designs on the octagonal crown reflect a high degree of care and skill. This indicates that the head must have belonged to an important image.

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