Antique Carved Durga Mahishamardini from Nepal

Height 60cm - Width 35cm - Depth 20cm

This exquisite 17th or early 18th Century wood carving depicts the Goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura.  Durga is the serene and graceful symbol of good, with a lion for her vehicle, while Mahishasura represents the demonic forces of ignorance and chaos hidden by outer appearances (the buffalo).

The carving is in high relief with a flat back, and was probably designed to occupy a niche in a Hindu temple.  It was purchased from an antiques dealer in Nepal many years ago, and is part of my private collection that I am now downsizing for lack of display space.

This rare antique carving is structurally sound and in exceptional near-perfect condition, with an aged patina and just the tip of the saber in her right hand missing, plus a few random old worm holes on the base and back.

An interesting, rare, authentic, and collectable antique temple carving depicting a popular Hindu theme.