A Group of Twenty illustrations from a Devi Series: Chamunda and the Shaktis battle Raktabija

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 USD

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Description

A Group of Twenty illustrations from a Devi Series: Chamunda and the Shaktis battle Raktabija
Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper
image 10 1/4 by 13 3/4 in. (26 by 35 cm.) and slightly smaller
folio 11 3/4 by 15 3/8 in. (30 by 39.1 cm.) and slightly smaller, unframed [20], 2 illustrated

According to the story related in the Devi Mahatmya, the demon Raktabija who is able to multiply himself from each drop of his blood that is spilt in battle, proves to be a particularly strong foe for Devi and her army of shaktis, who are the female energies of the Gods. Finally Devi creates the terrible and frightful Chamunda who licks each drop blood spilt by the demon thereby preventing him from multiplying and finally vanquishing him. The present group of illustrations depicts the various stages of this long drawn out conflict.

Catalogue Note

For another depiction of the same story see B.N. Goswamy, Essence of Indian Art, 1986, p. 196, cat. 152. Also see Sotheby's New York, September 20, 2005, lot 124, for more illustrations from the same series.