South Indian Granite Figure of Kali

South India, Vijayanagara period, 15th century AD

This imposing granite figure depicts Kali, the fierce aspect of the Great Goddess Mahadevi,  stands frontally and rigidly on a rectangular plinth, framed by a spectacular flaming/radiating prabha (halo) that fans out behind her head; a hallmark of Vijayanagara devī imagery. Her wide, almond-shaped eyes, elaborate jata-mukuta crown, large circular earrings, broad jeweled collar, and prominent bare breasts set over a cinched waist follow the codified Vijayanagara canon for ferocious mother goddesses. The Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1336–1646) dominated southern India from its capital at Hampi, sponsoring vast temple-building programs in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh during the 15th century. Granite devī figures of this type were typically installed in subsidiary shrines or niches of temple complexes, serving as focal points for Shakta worship of the goddess in her protective-destructive manifestation
Size 30 3/8 in. (77 cm.) high
Provenance:   Acquired by the present owner from Christie's New York, Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Works of Art, Spetember 13th 2017, auction 14484, lot 617 as property from a California collection;  originally acquired at Sotheby's New York, 10 December 1980, lot 88 illustrated.