Bidspirit auction | Bronze devotional depicting Devi seated

Bronze devotional depicting Devi seated within torana - Bronze devotional depicting Devi seated within torana Southern India, 18th century Depicting a seated female deity in a regal pose, probably an iconographic variant of Devi, possibly Kali or her Tantric manifestation associated with the Shakta cult diffused in South India. The goddess is depicted frontally, seated in the lotus position on a square base moulded with three severed heads on the front, an element that refers to her destructive aspect and her function as the devourer of evil and cosmic negativity. The figure presents a slender torso with prominent breasts, a marked belt and a stiff necklace. The four arms maintain precise ritual positions: in the right hind hand she holds a damaru, the small hourglass drum symbolising cosmic rhythm and creation, the left hind hand holds a trishula (trident), emblem of destructive power and direct association with Shiva. The front left hand holds a kapala, the ritual bowl made from a human skull often found in depictions of Tantric goddesses and used in esoteric rituals. The front right hand shows a hole through the centre of the palm, a residual presence of an attribute now missing, perhaps a blade or other symbol with an apotropaic or purifying function. The figure is enclosed in a large arched torana chiselled with circular openwork motifs, stylised flames and a parasol-shaped canopy (chatra) above the goddess' head, a symbol of divine kingship. This monumental arch, which serves as a cosmic frame to the divine presence, is complemented by two side pillars that evoke temple architecture. The stepped base with the three decapitated faces arranged frontally reinforces the Tantric connotation of the image by recalling iconographies of goddesses such as Kali, Camunda or other forms of Yogini often represented in triumph over defeated demonic forces. The bronze has a warm, polished patina with traces of red pigmentation, a sign of intense exposure to devotional practices. Provenance: Central Italy collection. H. 17.5 X 11 cm