Sculpture

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.

Place of Origin

Bihar, India (made)

Date

late 9th century- 10th Century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Bronze

Dimensions

Height: 9.2 cm, Length: 14.5 cm, Depth: 4.3 cm

Object history note

This small bronze image of a group of four Hindu deities is a fine example of bronze casting in eatern 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 note

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.

Descriptive line

Group of mother goddesses and Kubera, bronze, Bihar, Eastern India, late 9th-10th century.

Production Note

Bihar, Eastern India

Subjects depicted

Hindu

Categories

Bronze; Hinduism

Collection code

SSEA