Ten-Armed Goddess Durga, Seated on a Double Lion Throne
11th century
Medium
Sandstone
Dimensions
106.7 × 68.6 × 28 cm (42 × 27 × 11 in.)
Classification
sandstone
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
148367
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This sculpture presents the supreme goddess Durga in her pacific form as Kshemankari, wherein addorsed lions are positioned beneath her seat. Garland-bearing vidyadharas (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 den...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...