Female Deity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

myminifactory

This stunning piece of art depicts a female deity, likely Durga. The powerful sculpture was clearly the main object of devotion, evident from its large size and formal stance. Her divine status is confirmed by evidence that she once had multiple arms. She probably represents the goddess Durga in her role as destroyer of the buffalo demon. In this context, she can be seen as Shiva's active female aspect, or shakti, who eliminates evil forces. The subtle shape of the figure and low-relief drapery are typical of the Prasat Andet style. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit project created by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital library of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the world for public access. Scan the World is an open source community effort. If you have interesting items nearby and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.