Central Asia, modern day Nepal, ca. 14th to 15th century. An impressive hand-carved stone relief of the Hindu goddess Durga. With her lion vahana (sacred mount) peaking out from behind her, the divinity of war wears a long robe and stands with her right foot mounting the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing her defeat of her shape-shifting enemy. Traditional to her iconography, she holds a series of weapons in each of her eight arms with two hands in front of her holding a trishul (trident) and her surrounding hands holding a knife, a chakra, a cup-like object, a mace, an arrow, and the hair of a small child who looks up and stabs her posterior. A hemispherical headdress sits above her tranquil visage, which features slender eyes, arched brows, a broad nose, full lips, and round cheeks, all flanked by two ears with extended lobes. Size: 10.25" W x 15.5" H (26 cm x 39.4 cm)

Durga is a warrior form of Parvati who combats evil demons while riding a lion or a tiger, and her multiple arms indicate protection from all directions. Usually depicted with a serene expression, she exudes both femininity and a warrior's ferocity with her many weapons. She is the embodiment of fearlessness and Durga means "invincible."

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Kobiashi Collection, Hawaii, 1960 to 2000

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#162874

Collection label on back. Light softening of detail and a few nicks/chips to bottom periphery, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with lovely earthen deposits throughout.