Goddess Uma, 1000s
Nepal, 11th Century

Gilt bronze and semiprecious stones

Uma is a mother goddess, and she is depicted here as turning toward her consort, the Hindu god Shiva, a companion sculpture from which this image of Uma has been separated. The grace and femininity of this solid-cast figure are balanced by her confident gesture and expression. She embodies the creative energy of god and the beauty of his creation.

In Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism have continued to flourish simultaneously, in contrast to Tibet, which is predominantly Buddhist, and India, where Buddhism was no longer practiced after the 14th century.

Image and text credit:
The Cleveland Museum of Art