Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Khmer Empire (Angkor culture), ca. 12th century CE. A splendid bronze figure of Uma (Parvati), goddess of beauty and love as well as consort of Shiva, standing on an iron pedestal in the balanced samabhanga position with limbs evenly distributed along a central line - a typical depiction of Uma in the Khmer period during which she was associated with regal stability. Her sampot is suspended from a charm-embellished belt and a central sash that tapers off in a fishtail shape as she holds an attribute in each hand. Though bare-chested she is otherwise heavily adorned with a collar necklace, bracelets, armbands, anklets, earrings, and a conical headdress. Note how the strong columnar form of her sampot is contrasted by pinched waist and broad hips, helping to emphasize her femininity and fertility. Uma was a favored goddess in Khmer Angkor, and while sandstone representations of the goddess abound, bronze devotional figures of Uma, like this one, are considerably more rare. Size: 1.75" W x 5.55" H (4.4 cm x 14.1 cm)

The goddess Parvati, also known as Uma, daughter of the mountains, is traditionally understood as the consort of Shiva and is usually presented as a beautiful woman without any superfluous limbs, as we see in this example. When she finally attracted Shiva, after a long and physically grueling courtship, he shared with her the secrets of the world, a conversation that would lead to the dispersal of this elite knowledge amongst the wise. At first Parvati, like most female deities (shakti), was viewed as a minor deity. However, between the 5th and 13th centuries, Parvati became a subject of worship in her own right rather than a mere consort to a male deity, with temples erected in her honor. It was at this time that Parvati became a major deity known as Durga and Kali.

Provenance: private S.S. collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#125157

Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent with pretty pale green patina on bronze and heavy encrustations on iron surfaces. Very clear detail remaining. Permanently affixed to iron pedestal.