Kali
Kali
900s-1000s
South India, Tamil Nadu, Chola period
(900-13th century)
Bronze
Overall: 46.7 x 20.4 x 15.4 cm (18 3/8 x 8 1/16 x 6 1/16 in.); Base: 11.4 x 15.2 cm (4 1/2 x 6 in.)
The Norweb Collection 1956.7
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Description
The female aspect of Shiva, the goddess Parvati, has her own cycle of myths, and she herself emanates into different forms. Some branches of Hinduism consider the goddess to be the supreme creator divinity herself, who generated all the other gods, including Shiva. This bronze sculpture could have been affiliated with either branch.
Kali is the wrathful form of the goddess generated in the midst of a battle with a demon that the gods failed to conquer. Kali was to drink his blood before any drop fell to ground, or else a new demon would instantly be generated. The demons are metaphors for human vices, such as egotistic pride and arrogance.
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