18th century AD. A gilt bronze figure of the Hindu goddess Uma Parvati seated with legs crossed, right leg slightly extended; right arm resting on leg, left supporting weight; sash across breasts, necklace, armlets and bracelets for decoration; hair pulled to side in a bun. 2.28 kg, 22cm (8 3/4") Acquired on the London art market prior to 1980. Parvati is the consort of the Hindu god Shiva, and is the goddess of fertility, love and devotion, as well as of divine strength and power. She is the gentle and nurturing aspect of the Hindu goddess Shakti and one of the central deities of the goddess-oriented Shakta sect. She is the mother goddess in Hinduism and has many attributes and aspects; the name Uma relates to the form that she took as the goddess Sati. Along with Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity) and Saraswati (goddess of knowledge and learning), she forms the trinity of Hindu goddesses. As the spouse of Shiva she is also the mother of Ganesh and Kartikeya. The goddess in the form of Parvati is rarely worshipped without Shiva and it is only when she takes the form of Durga or Kali that she becomes the object of an independent cult. This statue would have formed part of a group showing Parvati seated with Shiva and conversing at their palace on Mount Kailash in the Himalayas.

Fine condition.