FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS FROM A DEVI MAHATMYA SERIES
Pahari Provincial School, Pahari Hills, North India, late 19th century

Opaque pigments and gold on paper, comprising four horizontal compositions from a Devi Mahatmya series, two illustrations showing the multi-armed Goddess Durga on her vahana, the tiger, ready to attack the army of demons in front of her, her hands holding a variety of arms and attributes, including a chakram, spear and mace (gurz) and a conch shell and water lota, often depicted in Parvati's representations as well, one against a yellow background, the latter against a light-green background; the other two illustrations with Durga assisted by other heavenly Gods and Goddesses, in one illustration with Kali and Shiva, in the latter fighting the final battle against Evil with the help of Kali, Saraswati, Parvati, Lakshmi and the female variations of Vishnu's avatars Varaha and Narasimha, and Shiva, the scene a real triumph of female Hindu iconography highlighting the power and importance of the Shakti cult in India, all mounted, glazed and framed, 26cm x 33.5cm including the frame.

Provenance: Acquired by the mother in law of the present vendor at the time when she and her husband were stationed in India (c. 1920 - 1947);
From 1979 onwards, by descent, in the family private collection in the UK.