India, 18th-19th century AD. Cast bronze cover for a statue in the form of a female torso with prominent belly and breasts decorated with necklaces and two rearing cobras at the shoulders. 9.5 kg, 65cm (25 1/2"). Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s. Covers such as these are placed over the main statue in a Hindu temple as part of the daily worship. They will often represent a certain aspect of the deity that is being worshipped. The prominent belly and cobras on this example indicate that it went over the statue of the goddess Kali.

Fine condition.