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Woman

8th-9th century

Tamil Nadu, India

Copper alloy

H. 12 x W. 4 x D. 3 3/4 in. (30.5 x 10.16 x 9.52 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.18

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This bronze image of a woman may once have functioned as an attendant or devotee in a larger series of images as the figure has a crown and holds a lotus but does not wear a sacred thread, the sign of a Hindu god. South Indian bronze sculptures made from the seventh to the ninth centuries are relatively small in scale and were probably used for personal devotion rather than as the focus of temple rituals. In addition to pouring liquids as offerings over the sculptures, devotees also often rubbed the faces; such practices were probably responsible for effacing the features of this statue. (see hard copy for more details)