**Originally Listed At $350**

Nepal, ca. 18th century CE. A hand-carved wood depiction of the Hindu / Buddhist Great Goddess Devi, standing with her four hands holding specific attributes, wearing an elaborate garment, and quite bejewelled, her face with almond-shaped eyes, elongated earlobes with earrings, hair combed in a chignon and set with a tiara at the front, set within an entablature-like architectural element carved with low relief lotus leaves/blossoms. A fine example with wonderful patina. Size: 13.875" H (35.2 cm)

Like most Hindu/Buddhist deities, Devi presents different manifestations. In some representations she is gentle and benign. In others, she is fierce and dramatic. This said, in all forms she is believed to be helpful to her devotees. According to the curatorial team at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, "Devi is first seen as cosmic force, where she destroys demonic forces that threaten world equilibrium, and creates, annihilates, and recreates the universe. Next, in her gentle, radiant dayini form, she is the gracious donor of boons, wealth, fortune, and success. As heroine and beloved, Devi comes down to earth and provides inspiring models for earthly women. Devi is then seen as a local protector of villages , towns, and individual tribal peoples, where she is concerned only with local affairs. In her fifth aspect, Devi appears as semi-divine force, manifesting herself through fertility spirits, and other supernatural forms. Finally, she is also represented in woman saints, who are born on earth but endowed with deep spirituality and other-worldly powers."

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

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#120068

Stable age cracks. Expected surface wear and encrustation commensurate with age. Metal suspension hook on backside. Nice patina.