Monolithic sculpture, Parvati, Majapahit style, Blitar District, East Java, Indonesia, ca. 15th century.

Monolithic sculpture of Parvati, the companion of the god Shiva. She is shown facing front, with four arms; in the upper two she carries a closed lotus bud and a mortuary symbol (?), her lower two hands are clasped at her waist. The figure is richly adorned with jewellery and framed by an oblong back piece bordered with a flame-like pattern.

Purchased from Mrs Joly

Purchased from Mrs Joly, 4 Glebe Place, Chelsea, S.W. 3. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 1921- 1288

In this sculpture the Hindu goddess Parvati, consort of Siva is represented. It was customary in Javanese sculpture of this period to identify local rulers with cult deities and it is possible that this image of Parvati is intended to represent a deceased east Javanese queen. She is show in a four-armed form, holding a closed lotus bud in one raised hand, possibly a mortuary symbol, and a fly-whisk in the other. Her lower hands are clasp together and her entire figure is bordered with a flame-pattern. The faceted crown and diadem is distinctly east Javanese and the figure is richly jewelled. Parvati stands on a lotus platform and is flanked by flowering vases.

Found from Wlingi, a village 10 miles east of Blitar, East Java, Indonesia

IM.147-1921