Lot 40A
Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Khmer, ca. 10th to 13th century CE. A splendid bronze figure of Uma (Parvati), goddess of beauty and love as well as consort of Shiva, standing in the balanced samabhanga position with limbs evenly distributed along a central line - a typical depiction of Uma in the Khmer period during which she was associated with regal stability. Her sampot is suspended from a charm-embellished belt and a central sash that tapers off in a fishtail shape as she holds a lotus flower in one hand and another implement in the other. Though bare-chested she is otherwise heavily adorned with a collar necklace, bracelets, armbands, anklets, earrings, and a conical headdress. Note how the strong columnar form of her sampot is contrasted by pinched waist and broad hips, helping to emphasize her femininity and fertility. Uma was a favored goddess in Khmer Angkor, and while sandstone representations of the goddess abound, bronze devotional figures of Uma, like this one, are considerably more rare. Size: 3.3" W x 7.8" H (8.4 cm x 19.8 cm); 9.4" H (23.9 cm) on included custom stand.
The goddess Parvati, also known as Uma, daughter of the mountains, is traditionally understood as the consort of Shiva and is usually presented as a beautiful woman without any superfluous limbs, as we see in this example. When she finally attracted Shiva, after a long and physically grueling courtship, he shared with her the secrets of the world, a conversation that would lead to the dispersal of this elite knowledge amongst the wise. At first Parvati, like most female deities (shakti), was viewed as a minor deity. However, between the 5th and 13th centuries, Parvati became a subject of worship in her own right rather than a mere consort to a male deity, with temples erected in her honor. It was at this time that Parvati became a major deity known as Durga and Kali.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired in the early 1990's in Santa Monica, California, USA; ex-Art dealer P. Pamaspry, Singapore collection
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#180957
- Condition: Expected surface wear with some nicks and abrasions as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent. Great remaining details and rich patina throughout.
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