Nepal, 16th - 17th Century, Wooden Sculpture Of Kali In Her Wrathful Aspect

Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
16th – 17th century

Rare representation of Kali in her Chamunda aspect. She is represented in a terrifying form, with an emaciated face adorned with a third eye, a skeletal body with a sagging chest and a hollow abdomen, bulging eyes, and a mouth with a pronounced rictus. She is depicted standing under foliage, perched on a demon (symbol of ignorance, illusion) in the alidha attitude (split to the left), the latter represented lying on his stomach, left leg resting on the right leg, left arm bent, right arm outstretched, hand resting on the ground. The goddess dressed in a simple dothi is wearing a high tiara, large circular earrings falling on her shoulders. She is adorned with a long garland made of human skulls (mundamala) and a necklace as well as bracelets on her arms and wrists. The deity is adorned with four arms brandishing a kapala (human skull acting as a cup), a kartri (cleaver), a trishula (trident) decorated with a skull and a damaru (drum).

Chamunda is a major deity in Tantrism as well as in Shaktism. A fierce manifestation of the goddess Kali, she defeated the demons Chanda and Munda from whom it takes its name.

The entire piece is of a high quality of execution which is noteworthy for a piece of this size.

Wood with traces of polychromy / Bronze stand
Wear from use
18. x 4.2 cm without stand
European private collection

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