2022
Gold plated bronze
19 x 12 x 6 cm



A sculpture of the Goddess Kṛśodarī who sits within the cycle of twelve as the central thirteen Kālī, according to the Krama tradition.
 
Textual Source:
“Once reflected on the twelve Kālīs, next visualize the goddess in the centre. She is Kṛśodarī (Narrow Waist). Her breasts are fat and upraised, and her eyes, extending to her ears, are immersed in meditation and rolling with inebriation. Her two hands make gestures of granting boons and bestowing fearlessness. Having meditated on her in this way and having worshipped her upper lion face with the thirteenth Mantra, one should worship the goddess.”
~ Kālīkulapañcakramakramārcana

Acknowledgments:
A sculpture of the Thirteenth Kālī, the central Kṛśodarī, created following the description from the Kālīkulapañcakramakramārcana (trans. Dyczkowski). The iconographic style is based on that of medieval bronze mūrtis from Kashmir. An overview of the bronzes was made possible by Jeff Watt at Himalayan Art Resources who has catalogued a vast array of artworks based on region. The analysis was supplemented by [Pratapaditya Pal, “Bronzes of Kashmir” Journal of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts Manufacturers and Commerce, October 1973 (London: RSA)]. One bronze in particular was used as a reference: [Kashmira, 10th Century, copper alloy sculpture with inlays of silver, 3/4 × 5 × 2 in., Rubin Museum of Art, New York].