작품 상세

Dimensions: Height 38 cm Wide 22 cm Depth 11 cm Weight: 4410 grams Cast in bronze, this powerful sculpture represents the goddess Durga in her victorious form as Mahishāsuramardinī, the slayer of the buffalo demon. The goddess is shown standing in a dynamic tribhaṅga pose upon the subdued buffalo, her weight shifted gracefully yet assertively, embodying both martial energy and divine poise. Durga is depicted with multiple arms radiating from her torso, each originally bearing her characteristic weapons and attributes—among them a trident, sword, bow, and conch—symbolizing the combined powers of the male gods bestowed upon her for the defeat of evil. Her principal right hand is lowered, gripping the trident as it pierces the demon below, while another hand is raised in a gesture of assurance and protection. At her side appears a diminutive attendant figure, reinforcing the narrative richness and hierarchical scale typical of early Himalayan bronzes. The goddess wears a tall, tiered crown and elaborate jewelry, including a beaded necklace and armlets, while the treatment of the face—almond-shaped eyes, gently arched brows, and a composed expression—reflects the refined aesthetic associated with Kashmir and Western Himalayan workshops of the early medieval period. The elongated proportions, fluid modeling of the limbs, and rhythmic arrangement of the arms relate closely to sculptural traditions that bridge Gupta classicism and later Himalayan styles. The surface retains a rich, mottled green patina with areas of mineral encrustation, consistent with considerable age and ritual use. The hollow-cast underside is visible, in keeping with lost-wax casting practices of the period. Bronzes of this quality from Kashmir are comparatively rare. During the 10th–11th century, the region was a vital crossroads linking the Indian plains with Central Asia and Tibet, and its metalwork exerted a lasting influence on Himalayan Buddhist and Hindu sculpture alike. This figure stands as an eloquent testament to that artistic exchange and to the enduring cult of the goddess as protector and vanquisher of chaos. NOTE: AN ANALYSIS AND METALLOGRAPHY TEST OF THE FIGURE WAS EXECUTED 2012 ( TEST RESULTS ATTACHED AT THE PHOTOS )

재료

Bronze