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Figure

10th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Goddess Bhu Devi (Gauri), the shakti of the god Shiva, standing in the slightly flexed or abhanga pose. The right hand holds a blue lotus bud (nilotpala) in kataka mudra; the left arm is extended in lola hasta. The figure wears a coronet (karanda makuta), and the siras cakra ( disc behind the head) is small and flower-like, now partly broken. The lower garment is worn with girdle and sash, the former comparatively plain and the latter with projecting bows at the hips. Other details include a channavira-type harness, keyura armlets, elbow bracelets with conspicuous projecting ornaments, extended ear lobes without pendants, and padasaras on the feet. A marriage symbol (tali) is worn above the three necklaces. The image is crudely riveted to its lotus pedestal, and saw-marks around the rim of the pedestal confirm that the present method of junction is not the original one. The base has projecting rings for processional carrying. Traces of encrusted carbonate matter in surface crevices indicate a period of earth burial.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Standing figure of Bhu Devi, bronze, Tamil Nadu, 10th century.
Physical description
The Goddess Bhu Devi (Gauri), the shakti of the god Shiva, standing in the slightly flexed or abhanga pose. The right hand holds a blue lotus bud (nilotpala) in kataka mudra; the left arm is extended in lola hasta. The figure wears a coronet (karanda makuta), and the siras cakra ( disc behind the head) is small and flower-like, now partly broken. The lower garment is worn with girdle and sash, the former comparatively plain and the latter with projecting bows at the hips. Other details include a channavira-type harness, keyura armlets, elbow bracelets with conspicuous projecting ornaments, extended ear lobes without pendants, and padasaras on the feet. A marriage symbol (tali) is worn above the three necklaces. The image is crudely riveted to its lotus pedestal, and saw-marks around the rim of the pedestal confirm that the present method of junction is not the original one. The base has projecting rings for processional carrying. Traces of encrusted carbonate matter in surface crevices indicate a period of earth burial.
Dimensions
  • Height: 48cm
Style
Object history
Formed part of an important collection, belonging to Herbert Bradley (C.S.I., Barr. (1878), I.C.S., Member of Ligislative Council of Madras) and was sold to the V&A by his widow, Mrs. Lilian S.Bradley in 1924 for £10.
Production
probably Tanjore area, South India.
Bibliographic references
  • R.Nagaswamy. " Kongu Bronzes in the V&A Museum," Lait Kala, nos.13-14, 1967-69, fig.2.
  • Irwin, John C., Indian Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1968 pl. 8
Collection
Accession number
IM.8-1924

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Record createdSeptember 20, 2001
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