Sculpture
Figure Group
late 9th century- 10th Century (made)
late 9th century- 10th Century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A group of four Hindu deities depicting from left to right, of Kubera, Vaisnavi, an unidentified female deity (Kumari?), and Brahmani. Jars symbolizing wealth appear beneath the figures and the kneeling figure of the male donor is represented to the left of the group. The image shows traces of gilding and blue pigment, both of which suggest that this image has, at some point in its history since the 9th century, been in worship in the Himalayas.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sculpture (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Group of mother goddesses and Kubera, bronze, Bihar, Eastern India, late 9th-10th century. |
| Physical description | A group of four Hindu deities depicting from left to right, of Kubera, Vaisnavi, an unidentified female deity (Kumari?), and Brahmani. Jars symbolizing wealth appear beneath the figures and the kneeling figure of the male donor is represented to the left of the group. The image shows traces of gilding and blue pigment, both of which suggest that this image has, at some point in its history since the 9th century, been in worship in the Himalayas. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This small bronze image of a group of four Hindu deities is a fine example of bronze casting in eastern India at the beginning of the Pala period, (9th -12th century). Images of this scale were frequently commissioned by private donors for presentation to a local temple or shrine. This image bears a Sanskrit inscription on the reverse of the base indicating that it was the gift of 'Revaka'. This name alone gives no clue as to the identity or social background of the donor. |
| Historical context | Formerly in the Heeramaneck collection, New York and sold at auction Sotheby's London 10-3-86. Purchased from Maurice Joy for £2400. Bought from Maurice Joy. |
| Production | Bihar, Eastern India |
| Subject depicted | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.74-1990 |
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| Record created | March 21, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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