Sridevi

Place of OriginIndia

DateChola Dynasty (850-1310), about 950

DimensionsH: 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm); W: 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm)

MediumBronze

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineGift of Thomas T. Solley

Object number

1991.53

Not on View

Label TextThese two earth goddesses, Śridevi on the left and Bhudevi on the right, generally accompany an image of the Hindu god Vishnu as his consorts. Often the two goddesses are indistinguishable in artistic renditions, but in these two depictions, Śridevi wears a pendant necklace while Bhudevi is differentiated by her jeweled breastband and the lotus in her hand. The calm, aloof faces and the swaying, rounded bodies contribute to the feeling of elegance characteristic of Chola Dynasty bronzes (see also the bronze statue of Parvati in this gallery).Comparative ReferencesSee also Roland, Benjamin, A History of Indian Art and Architecture, London, 1953, pp. 328-332.

cf. Chandra, Pramod, The Sculpture of India, Washington, D.C., 1985, pp. 184, 188.

cf. Harle, J.C., The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, London, 1986, pp. 304-310.