Durga

Durga

Hindu deities are often depicted as half male and half female to express their all-encompassing greatness, which transcends all conventional dualities. This image combines the god Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi into a single form known as Lakshminarayana. The deity’s left side has a woman’s breast, wears a woman’s earring, and holds a brimming pot, a mirror, and other attributes associated with Lakshmi. Its right side has a flat chest, wears a man’s earring, and holds a mace, a discus, and other attributes of Vishnu.

Details

  • Title : Durga
  • Year : 15th century
  • Classification : Sculpture
  • Medium : Gilded copper alloy and gemstones
  • Dimension : Overall: 4 3/8 × 4 × 2 in. (11.11 × 10.16 × 5.08 cm)
  • Accession No : Object Number: 68.8.29
  • Country/ Geo-location : NEPAL
  • Collection : Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Credit Line : Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Paul Mellon
  • Status : Location: G327 - South Asian Galleries