Untitled

Unknown

12th century · Argillite · Asian Art

This sculpture portrays the sixteen-armed form of the goddess Durga as the slayer of the demon buffalo Mahisha. The array of arms, each displaying a weapon, creates a kinetic energy in the image, no doubt all the more powerful when contemplated in a shrine dimly illuminated by oil lamps. This work is among the finest Indian miniature sculptures of the Pala-Sena period.

Artist

Unknown

Date

12th century

Medium

Argillite

Culture

Bangladesh or India (Bengal)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Diana L. and Arthur G. Altschul Gift, 1993