Devi Tamil Nadu, Chola period, early 1000s bronze, 29 inches (73.7 cm) high Funds from the Acquisition Challenge Grant, Harry I. Smookler Fund, Irene Littledale Downs, Collectors’ Choice 1980, Saks Fine Arts, Asian department docents, and other donors 1983.15

Without the image of her male partner, it is impossible to positively identify this goddess, or devi, since Chola artists used this classic figure with only minor variations for the consorts of several gods, but she is most likely Parvati, the consort of Shiva. She stands in the tribhanga ("thrice-bent") pose, with her left arm extended along her side, following the curve of her body. The index finger and thumb of her right hand forms a circle, in which the stem of a lotus flower might have been placed.


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