A seated figure of the goddess Vasudhara with 6-arms (clockwise): one hand makes the gesture of giving, the next holds a jewelled stalk, and the third is raised in salutation; on the right are a book, a stalk of rice and a bowl held in the lap. The right foot rests beside a pot of plenty. Made of gilt bronze inlaid with coloured stones.
Details
- Title : Goddess Vasudhara with 6-arms
- Year : 16thC
- Classification : Figure/ Sculpture
- Medium : Made of gilt bronze inlaid with coloured stones.
- Dimension : Height: 17 centimetres
- Accession No : 1956,1210.8 Object reference number: RRI9713
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : The British Museum
- Credit Line : Donated by: D R Hay-Neave
- Acquisition Method : Donation: Acquisition date 1956
- Status : Not on display
- Curator's comments: Zwalf 1985 : The Indian texts describe Vasudhārā, goddess of abundance and consort of Jambhala, god of riches, as two- or six-armed. In Nepal a six-armed form makes an early appearance and shows few variations. In this example, reading clockwise, one hand makes the gesture of giving, the next holds a jewelled stalk, and the third is raised in salutation; on the right are a book, a stalk of rice and a bowl held in the lap. The right foot rests beside a pot of plenty.
- Bibliography : Zwalf 1985 164 Koezuka (1994) Cat. no. 83
- Exhibition history : Exhibited:Buddhism: Art and Faith (BM 1985) 1994, Kyoto National Museum, Masterpieces of Buddhist and Hindu Sculpture from the British Museum 1994, Tokyo, Tobu Museum of Art, Masterpieces of Buddhist and Hindu Sculpture from the British Museum