Durga Mahisasuramardini
Sculpture
mid 7th century (made)
mid 7th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This terracotta sculpture shows the Hindu goddess Durga killing the demon Mahisa disguised as a buffalo. It is a recurrent subject in Hindu sculpture from the Kushan period (1st century AD-320 AD) onwards.
This form of Durga goes through an elaborate iconographic evolution which we can trace through rock-cut and freestanding versions. The majority are large-scale images in a temple context. This representation is a small-scale terracotta, crudely modelled for use perhaps in a household or wayside shrine. It shows Durga in an early four-armed form, lifting the buffalo's body up by the tail and holding its head down with her foot so she can despatch it with Shiva's trident.
This form of Durga goes through an elaborate iconographic evolution which we can trace through rock-cut and freestanding versions. The majority are large-scale images in a temple context. This representation is a small-scale terracotta, crudely modelled for use perhaps in a household or wayside shrine. It shows Durga in an early four-armed form, lifting the buffalo's body up by the tail and holding its head down with her foot so she can despatch it with Shiva's trident.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Terracotta |
Brief description | Durga Mahisasuramardini, terracotta, Uttar Pradesh, northern India, mid-7th century |
Physical description | This terracotta figure of Durga Mahisasuramardini is shown in relief against a plain back slab and plinth with an incised line at the margin.The four armed figure of the goddess is shown lifting the buffalo demon by the tail held in her left front hand while she stabs its back with Shiva's trisula (trident) held in her front right hand. She rests her right foot on the neck of the beast which appears from under the hem of her skirt. She is otherwise naked except for her jewellery which comprises a heavy segmented necklace under a row of beads, large circular ringed earrings and heavy wrist bangles. Her hair is swept back off her face and gathered into a bun on top with an ornament fixed in the centre parting above her forehead. Her large eyes are modelled with incised lines under arched incised eyebrows. Her remaining two arms are uplifted, her left hand holding a large bell (ghanta) andin her right one a baton-shaped unidentified weapon. (According to the Devi Mahatmya, the bell was given to her by Indra when the gods were arming her for battle with the demonic forces (asuras) led by Mahisa). |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Credit line | Given by Mr & Mrs Douglas Barrett |
Object history | Given by Mary and Douglas Barrett. |
Historical context | The Goddess Durga killing the demon Mahisasura disguised as a buffalo is a recurrent subject in Hindu sculpture from the Kushan period onwards. This form of Durga goes through an elaborate iconographic evolution that may be traced through rock-cut and freestanding versions of the subject. The regional distribution of this form of Mahisasuramardini was limited to northern India, centred on Mathura and extending across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Durga during the post-Gupta period became increasingly identified with Shiva as his shakti, having formerly been associated more closely with Vishnu. Durga was already the subject of large-scale stone and metal sculptures by this period, as witness in Madhya Pradesh at Udaigiri and elsewhere; this small-scale terracotta has been crudely modelled for use perhaps in a household or wayside shrine. |
Production | Uttar Pradesh, North India |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This terracotta sculpture shows the Hindu goddess Durga killing the demon Mahisa disguised as a buffalo. It is a recurrent subject in Hindu sculpture from the Kushan period (1st century AD-320 AD) onwards. This form of Durga goes through an elaborate iconographic evolution which we can trace through rock-cut and freestanding versions. The majority are large-scale images in a temple context. This representation is a small-scale terracotta, crudely modelled for use perhaps in a household or wayside shrine. It shows Durga in an early four-armed form, lifting the buffalo's body up by the tail and holding its head down with her foot so she can despatch it with Shiva's trident. |
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | IS.71-1986 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest Feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest Feedback
Record created | July 11, 2002 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest