Durga as Slayer of the Buffalo Demon Mahisha (Mahishasura Mardini)
Date:
14th–15th century
Culture:
Nepal
Medium:
Gilt copper alloy, inlaid with semiprecious stones
Dimensions:
H. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
Classification:
Sculpture
Credit Line:
Gift of Alice and Nasli M. Heeramaneck, 1986
Accession Number:
1986.498
This eighteen-armed version of the goddess (devi) Durga originally stood on a pedestal upon which she vanquished the buffalo-demon Mahisha, trampling him with one foot while transfixing him with Shiva’s trident. This display of the victory of good over evil followed a battle in which Mahisha had defeated the male gods. In despair, they invited Durga to serve as their champion, each lending her a magical weapon. In killing the buffalo-demon, Durga liberated the universe from darkness. Durga is the supreme expression of the power of the devi, represented as “the unassailable, the unconquerable.”
Date: 11th century
Medium: Copper alloy with gilding and semiprecious stones
Accession Number: 1982.220.2
Date: 12th century
Medium: Gilt copper alloy, inlaid with semiprecious stones
Accession Number: 1987.142.321
Not on view
Date: 14th century
Medium: Gilt copper alloy with color, inlaid with semiprecious stones
Accession Number: 66.179
Date: 13th century
Medium: Copper alloy, inlaid with semiprecious stones
Accession Number: 1987.142.355
Not on view
Date: 1250–1350
Medium: Gilt copper alloy, inlaid with semiprecious stones
Accession Number: 1987.142.358
Not on view
Object Type / Material
Geographic Location
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