Goddess Durga, Vietnam or Cambodia Kingdom of Funan. Pre-Angkorian
period, 7th century, Sandstone. Height: 31½ in, 80 cm.

NEW YORK, N.Y.- John Eskenazi, the highly-respected London dealer in
Indian, Gandharan, Himalayan and Southeast Asian works of art, will be
presenting outstanding sculpture in his annual New York exhibition at
Adam Williams Fine Art and Moretti Fine Art, 24 East 80th Street .
Recent Acquisitions will be on view from 14 to 25 March 2012, as part
of Asian Art Dealers New York and coinciding with Asia Week.

The timeless beauty of the finest Southeast Asian sculptures is
evident in a graceful figure of the goddess Durga holding a discus in
her upper left hand. The sandstone sculpture dates from the
Pre-Angkorian period, 7th century and comes from the ancient kingdom
of Funan , situated on the Mekong Delta, which was once a great centre
of international maritime trade. Indian merchants who were established
there probably introduced Durga and other Hindu deities into the
region. The 6th/7th centuries are known for such fine stone sculptures
of gods in regal, stately poses. Durga is a heroic figure who,
according to legend, was created by the Hindu gods to conquer the
demon Mahishasura who had unleashed a reign of terror and who could
not be defeated. Each god armed Durga with his most fearsome weapon.
For example, Vishnu gave his discus which also symbolises the
continuous cycle of creation and destruction of the world. The discus
also represents the power of the mind, capable of destroying ignorance
in the same way that the goddess eliminated the demon. Durga, whose
victory is so energetically depicted in Indian art, is represented
here as a serene authoritative figure, dressed in an elegant,
unadorned skirt and a tall headdress.

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