Description
The warrior mother goddess is depicted in this brass idol wearing a gold crown, a crescent moon on her forehead, earrings, a beautiful necklace, armlets, bangles, and Kada on her feet. The femininity of her jewellery is starkly contrasted by the garland of skulls of her enemies as well as the girdle of their hands. In her four hands, Kali Mata holds Khadag (sickle), Trishul (trident), Khappar (cup made of a skull), and the head of a demon whose blood drops fill the cup from which the great goddess drinks. Under her feet is Shiva, identifiable through the snakes in his ornamentation and his damru. In imagery as well as in ritual theory, Shiva is seen as subordinate to the goddess in her form as Mahakali. Framed stunningly by her open tresses, goddess Kali looks serene and powerful in this brass statue.
