Indian Chola Kali Bronze

Bronze Image of Kali

Tamil Nadu, South India

Chola Period, 11th century

height: 14cm (approx.), width: 8cm

This superbly detailed, solid-cast image of Kali (also known as Chamunda) is in a form associated with South India’s Chola period of c.850 to 1200. The goddess sits in the posture of royal ease known as lalitasana. A related piece of similar form, size, motifs and patina is in the National Museum, New Delhi and illustrated in Michell (1982, p. 220). The National Museum’s example is ascribed to the 11th century.

Kali is the fierce form of Uma (Parvati). Figures of Kali from northern India tend to show a more fearsome, skeletal form. South Indian depictions are less fierce and more fleshy.

The face of the image here is particularly finely rendered, the features of which remain preserved: lips slightly pursed, almond eyes with fine lids, and a prominent but fine nose. The waist is fine and she wears ample jewellery and other ornaments. The beautifully proportioned form is redolent of Chola-era casting.

The goddess has eight arms with attributes in each of her remaining hands. Her repertoire of weapons conveys her fierce nature and her authority.

Her upwardly flaming hair forms a dramatic halo about her head. The headdress above the forehead is adorned with a skull, and Shiva’s crescent moon has been cast to the right of the headdress. In this regard, the image’s facial characteristics and ornamented headdress follow a larger bronze of Kali, also in the National Museum, New Delhi, and illustrated in Guy (2007, p. 84).

Her breasts are surrounded by breast bands that probably are in the form of snakes.

The image is attached to a wooden stand. The back of the stand is marked with an old collection number. The image itself has obvious age with a dark, varying patina. Chola images of Kali are relatively rare. Most are in public collections.

References

Dehejia, V., The Sensuous and the Sacred: Chola Bronzes from South India, American Federation of Arts/Mapin, 2003.

Guy, J., et al., Chola: Sacred Bronzes of Southern India, Royal Academy of Arts, 2007.

Khandalavala, K., et al, The Great Tradition: Indian Bronze Masterpieces, Festival of India, 1988.

Menzies, J., Goddess Divine Energy, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2007.

Michell, G., et al, In the Image of Man: The Indian Perception of the Universe through 20000 Years of Painting and Sculpture, Arts Council of Great Britain, 1982.

Pal, P., Indian Sculpture, Volume 2 – 700-1800, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1988.

Provenance

UK art market.

Inventory no.: 2074

SOLD