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Durga statue made of bronze with gilding

AvailabilityIn stock

Only 1 left

SKU

179

This impressive antique Durga statue, made of bronze 
and possibly gold plated, exudes strength and elegance.
Durga is depicted sitting on a majestic lion, a symbol of courage
and protection.

€375.00

Durga statue made of bronze with gilding

In stock

Description

Dating & Origin

The sculpture represents the goddess Durga riding her lion (Simhavāhinī), cast in a dense copper alloy and finished with traditional mercury fire-gilding. Based on stylistic, technical, and microscopic evidence, the piece is securely dated to the 19th century (ca. 1820–1870).

Stylistic Features: The rounded facial features, soft naturalistic expression, and the characteristic jagged nimbus are consistent with North Indian and Nepalese Durga images of the 19th century. Earlier (17th–18th century) examples typically display more angular faces, stiffer lions, and lotus-shaped or plain halos. The somewhat stylized but animated lion further supports a 19th-century attribution.
Technical Construction: The casting is heavy and thick-walled (3.5 kg at 23.5 cm height), with hand-finished details visible in the drilled holes and vijl/filing marks on the reverse. This matches traditional pre-industrial workshops in North India and Nepal. The presence of granular mercury gilding, with natural wear patterns on protruding areas, rules out modern electroplating or reproduction techniques.
Microscopic Evidence: Under magnification, the gilding shows granular deposits, natural thinning on exposed ridges, and brown/black oxidation in recesses. These features reflect long-term natural aging (>150 years) and are absent in modern copies.

Conclusion:

The object can be attributed to North India / Nepal, mid-19th century (ca. 1820–1870). It is an authentic hand-cast and fire-gilt bronze devotional sculpture of Durga Devi, with natural wear and patination confirming its historical age.