Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon

anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1500

According to Hindu mythology, the kingdom of heaven was once threatened by a mighty buffalo demon. None of the gods could defeat him. So they created the goddess Durga and endowed her with all their individual powers. This made Durga the only one capable of stopping the demon. In her eight arms she bears the weapons and symbols of the deities whose combined power she represents.

  • Artwork typefigure, sculpture
  • Object numberAK-RAK-1997-1
  • Dimensionsheight 71.5 cm x width 38 cm x depth 34.5 cm
  • Physical characteristicsvolcanic stone

Stories

Goddess Durga

Invincible goddess of war

Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-RAK-1997-1

  • Description

    Stenen beeld van de hindoeistische godin Durga-die-de-Buffel-doodt (Durga Mahishasuramardini).

Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous, Oost-Java

  • Dating

    c. 1300 - c. 1500

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  • School / Style

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    volcanic stone

  • Dimensions

    height 71.5 cm x width 38 cm x depth 34.5 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Purchased with the support of the Rijksmuseum Fonds

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1997

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; collection Cornelia Antonia Schuurmans-de Vries (1904-1982);{Note RMA.} her son James Jan Schurrmans; from whom purchased, with support from the Rijksmuseum Fonds, through mediation of the dealer Jaap Polak, Amsterdam, to the museum, 1997

Documentation

  • Pauline Lunsingh Scheurleer, 'Ganesha van Singosari op bezoek', Aziatische Kunst 28/2 (1998), pp. 2-17.

Persistent URL

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  • Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon
  • Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon
  • Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon