A VOLCANIC STONE STELE OF DURGA SLAYING THE BUFFALO DEMON, 11TH-13TH CENTURY Indonesia, East Java. Standing bare-breasted on a buffalo, the eight-armed goddess grasps the demon by his hair and holds various attributes such as sword, conch and dharmachkra. Her torso is contoured and adorned with a heavy necklace, the face with a benign expression and crowned by a diadem and elaborate headdress. She is clad in a batik sarong fastened with several beaded belts, two rosette clasps and pendant festoons, her hair tied in a high chignon with tresses flowing to the sides, backed by a halo and with the stele forming a torana around her.

Provenance: From the personal collection of the grandfather of the present owner, acquired c. 1960 in Italy, and thence by descent in the same family.
Condition: Excellent condition with extensive weathering and wear, areas of erosion, some structural cracks and losses, minor dents and nicks here and there, all commensurate with the age of this statue. Good natural patina.

Weight: 123 kg
Dimensions: Height 90.5 cm

Representations of the goddess Durga killing the buffalo demon are celebrated throughout India. Transmitted to Southeast Asia, the theme appears in Indonesian and especially Javanese art as well as in the early sculptures of Thailand and Cambodia. When the gods were defeated by the lord of the demons, Mahisha, they pleaded with Durga, the incarnation of female energy, to defend the universe. Having been given a weapon by each of the gods and thus possessing all of their powers, she defeated first the demon's armies and then Mahisha himself, who had taken the form of a buffalo. In this sculpture, Durga stands on the corpse of the vanquished beast. The demon, having already left it, stands next to her and tries to defend himself in a last, desperate and – as we know – futile move.

Expert’s note: Especially due to its superb state of preservation, this unusually large sculpture remains one of the most imposing images of this theme.

Literature comparison: Compare with an earlier version of the same subject, 9th century, also carved from volcanic stone, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession number 1988.160.