India, 17th to 18th century. The larger piece depicting the four-armed Durga in a striding pose on a stepped square base, slaying the buffalo demon with her trident held in her principal left hand, holding a javelin and chakra in her other hands, wearing an elaborate crown with a floral finial, the face with a serene expression flanked by long ears, her lion mount behind her to the side. The other piece depicts Shiva seated on his mount Nandi on a pierced square base, holding a trident and chakra, and bowl in three of his four hands. Both pieces with mandorlas. (2)
Condition: Durga’s left principal arm is lost, Shiva’s mandorla has broken off the base on one side but is still in place, otherwise in good condition with minor wear. Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Weight: 369.1 g (total) Dimensions: Height 12 cm (Durga) and 9.3 cm (Shiva)