Bhudevi
| Accession Nr.: | 51.73.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | bronze, lead, gold and silver; statuette |
| Date of production: |
14th c.
Chola period |
| Place of production: |
| Materials: | bronze |
|---|---|
| Techniques: | lost-wax casting |
| Dimensions: | height: 16.3 cm width: 6 cm depth: 5 cm |
Bhudevi is the name of one of Visnu's wife Laksmi's avataras. The statuette is one of a three-part home altar piece, in which Visnu stands in the center, accompanied by his two wives on the sides: Bhudevi and Sarasvati (who, according to some myths, used to be Visnu's wife before becoming that of Brahma).
The statuette stands on an oval lotus pedestal raised on a rectangular pedestal in an abhanga (broken at one point) posture. In her right hand, she originally held a lotus bud, while extending the left hand a bit away from the hips in a graceful gesture. The upper body is naked while the lower body is clad in a trouser-like drapery. On the upper body you can see jewelry, necklaces around the neck and bracelets on the upper and lower arms. High tiara on head, big bun on back. Long curls of hair falling over two shoulders. Anklets on feet. Both the face and the garment show a very finely crafted, high artistic standard.
The statuette stands on an oval lotus pedestal raised on a rectangular pedestal in an abhanga (broken at one point) posture. In her right hand, she originally held a lotus bud, while extending the left hand a bit away from the hips in a graceful gesture. The upper body is naked while the lower body is clad in a trouser-like drapery. On the upper body you can see jewelry, necklaces around the neck and bracelets on the upper and lower arms. High tiara on head, big bun on back. Long curls of hair falling over two shoulders. Anklets on feet. Both the face and the garment show a very finely crafted, high artistic standard.