Parvati thumbnail 1
Parvati thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Parvati

Figure
13th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A female figure of Parvati (Gauri), consort of Siva, standing in the thrice-bent or tribhanga pose. The right hand is in kataka mudra; the left arm in lola hasta. The hair is dressed into a high bun and surmounted by a lotus-bud (now broken). Behind the head there is a flowerlike siras cakra (disc for hanging garlands). The patterned lower-garment is worn with a girdle with beaded festoons. There is no sash, although there is a loop in front reminiscent of the conventional sash loop. Other details include a sacred cord, keyura armlets, makara kundala ear pendants, a long plait of hair extending below the right shoulder, garlands on both shoulders, and padasaras on the feet. The figure stands on a circular lotus pedestal with holes for fixing the image to a processional carrier. When acquired by the Museum, the surface of the metal was heavily encrusted with carbonate matter formed during earth burial and has since been cleaned by the electrolyte process.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleParvati (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze, cast by the <i>cire perdue</i> process
Brief description
Standing figure of Parvati, bronze, Tamil Nadu, 13th century.
Physical description
A female figure of Parvati (Gauri), consort of Siva, standing in the thrice-bent or tribhanga pose. The right hand is in kataka mudra; the left arm in lola hasta. The hair is dressed into a high bun and surmounted by a lotus-bud (now broken). Behind the head there is a flowerlike siras cakra (disc for hanging garlands). The patterned lower-garment is worn with a girdle with beaded festoons. There is no sash, although there is a loop in front reminiscent of the conventional sash loop. Other details include a sacred cord, keyura armlets, makara kundala ear pendants, a long plait of hair extending below the right shoulder, garlands on both shoulders, and padasaras on the feet. The figure stands on a circular lotus pedestal with holes for fixing the image to a processional carrier. When acquired by the Museum, the surface of the metal was heavily encrusted with carbonate matter formed during earth burial and has since been cleaned by the electrolyte process.
Dimensions
  • Height: 63.4cm
  • Maximum, at base width: 21.5cm
  • Maximum, at base depth: 20.5cm
Style
Credit line
Bequeathed by Lord Ampthill
Object history
Given on loan by Lord Ampthill (Governor of Madras, 1900-1906) in 1919 and later gifted by the widow in 1935 with the request that it be labelled "Bequeathed by the late Lord Ampthill".
Production
Tinnevelly District, Tamil Nadu, South India

Attribution note: Spectrographic analysis of the metal show copper with more than 2% each of lead and tin; more than 0.2% zinc, iron, silicone, calcium, aluminium and silver; and smaller traces of nickel.
Subject depicted
Bibliographic reference
E,B.Havell, Eleven Plates Representing Indian Sculpture Chiefly in English Collections, India Society, London, 1911, pl.VI. Exhibited at the Festival of Empire Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace, London 1911.
Collection
Accession number
IM.70-1935

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Record createdSeptember 13, 2001
Record URL
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