A red sandstone relief with Shiva and the Saptamatrikas
A red sandstone relief with Shiva and the Saptamatrikas

INDIA, RAJASTHAN OR MADHYA PRADESH, CIRCA 10TH CENTURY

细节
A red sandstone relief with Shiva and the Saptamatrikas
India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, circa 10th century
Shiva at left with the seven dancing matrikas, each holding various implements, dressed in diaphanous robes, and backed by lotiform aureoles, with an elephant seated at far left
37 in. (94 cm.) wide
来源
Doris Wiener Gallery, New York, 1979
展览
Asia Society, New York, March--June 1992
Honolulu Academy, Hawaii, Sept 1992--May 1993

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拍品专文

The saptamatrika, or "seven mothers," were created by Durga to harness the shakti of all female celestial beings to fight the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. The matrikas assisted Durga in her task, and after nine days of fighting, they defeated the demon and restored the heavens to the gods.
Each goddess can be recognized by at least one characteristic element borrowed from the god whose energy or power she represents: Brahmani at first, three-headed like Brahma; Parvati with Nandi and holding Shiva's attributes; Kaumari with the peacock. They are typically depicted in dancing poses; for another example, formerly in the Paul F. Walter Collection, see P. Pal, Indian Sculpture, vol. I, 1988, fig. 38, p. 103-105.