SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU, VIJAYANAGARA PERIOD, 14TH CENTURY

Vaishnavi is one of the matrikas, or mother goddesses central to Hinduism and is often depicted alongside Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda. She is considered the shakti, or female manifestation of the god Vishnu. Here she stands erect on a lotus base holding a chakra wheel, conch shell, and bird and is adorned with elaborate jewelry and a tall headdress. Her silhouette is beautifully accentuated by a tapered flaming aureole.