Bust of a Yogini
Bust
9th century (made)
9th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Bust of one of the sixty-four Yogini. A female figure with large rounded breasts and arms missing. She wears a tall coronet, large circular earrings and a necklace, The details are weathered, but there are indications that she was originally depicted as fearsome, with projecting teeth. Yoginis (practioners of Yoga) formed a group of 64 demons who were followers of the goddess Durga (or Kali).
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Bust of a Yogini (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Quartzitic sandstone |
Brief description | Bust of a Yogini, sandstone, 9th century, MP central India. |
Physical description | Bust of one of the sixty-four Yogini. A female figure with large rounded breasts and arms missing. She wears a tall coronet, large circular earrings and a necklace, The details are weathered, but there are indications that she was originally depicted as fearsome, with projecting teeth. Yoginis (practioners of Yoga) formed a group of 64 demons who were followers of the goddess Durga (or Kali). |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label |
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Object history | Bought from Spink and So Limited , King Street, London for £2,000 (central fund). Another bust apparently from the same site was sold at Sotheby's sale on 2.12.68 lot no. 93. Possible that both the busts come from a Yogini temple in Raipur region of Madhya Pradesh. |
Historical context | Yoginis are female attendants in the retinue of the goddess Durga, consort of Shiva. They may be represented in a group of eight, or sixty -four, and typically occupy the inner wall of a circular temple enclosure facing an image of Shiva. Yoginis can be either benign or ferocious in character; traces of projecting teeth suggest that this Yogini was depicting a fearsome aspect. |
Production | Madhya Pradesh, Central India. |
Subject depicted | |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | IS.9-1969 |
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Record created | February 13, 2000 |
Record URL |
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