A SANDSTONE TORSO OF UMA

Description:

Cambodia, Khmer, Baphuon period, 11th cent.
H. 43,2 cm
Standing in samapada, both arms broken, clothed in a vertically striped sampot tied around the waist with a belt and a large hem falling forward, and with bare upper body and well-modelled breasts, on a pedestal.
From an old German private collection, acquired before 1993 from Lothar Heubel in Wiesbaden (certificate preserved)
This fine Baphuon style (ca. mid-11th century) torso belongs to an epoch that marks the transition between the classical styles of Angkor Wat and Bayon. The Baphuon style, named after the temple mountain Baphuon in Angkor (built under King Udayadityavarman II, r. ca. 1050-1066), is characterised by increased monumentality and refined modelling of the body forms. The torso, carved from fine-grained, light brown sandstone, depicts the goddess Uma (Parvati) - consort of Shiva and embodiment of female beauty and cosmic power. The soft, rhythmically modelled lines of the body, the characteristic plasticity and subtle sensuality show the characteristics of the Baphuon style. The accentuated swelling of the breasts, the clearly defined waist and the calm, frontal pose refer to the idealised depiction of the divine body in the sense of Hindu theology. Iconographically, Uma was often part of dual representations, for example as a companion figure of Shiva (Ardhanarishvara motif) or as an independent goddess within the Shaiva pantheon. In this context, she symbolised Shakti, the creative energy and feminine power of the cosmos - Partly damages
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