Art Institute of Chicago

Ten-Armed Goddess Durga, Seated on a Double Lion Throne

India

Date

11th century

Medium

Sandstone

Culture

Madhya Pradesh

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This sculpture presents the supreme goddess Durga in her pacific form as Kshemankari, wherein addorsed lions are positioned beneath her seat. Garland-bearing vidyadhara s (celestial couples) flank Durga’s elaborate halo, while three devotees sit at her feet with their hands folded in reverence. Now damaged, each of her ten hands was originally endowed with different implements and attributes. Features such as Durga’s patterned halo, coiffed hair, heavy jewelry, striated lower garment, and the dense cross-hatching of her shield suggest that the sculpture may be from a temple in northern Madhya Pradesh.

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