The Goddess Uma
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Object Details
- Description
- Uma
- Cambodia, 10th century
- Sandstone
- Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
- Arthur M. Sackler Gallery S1987.909
- The Power of the Feminine
- Khmer artists depicted the goddess Uma with regal stability. Here, she stands facing fully forward, her body neither twisting nor bending. Her long skirt (sampot) creates a strong columnar base. At the same time, her bare chest, pinched waist, and broad hips emphasize her femininity and fertility. Although the artists left upper bodies bare—as was conventional in Khmer dress—look for intricate designs on the headdress and belt. These patterns are inspired by nature, including leaves and flowers.
- Over time, artists modified details of sculptural style, including bodily proportions, facial features, ornaments, and pleats in clothing. Uma’s heavy breasts and straight brow, and the skirt’s wide upper flap, suggest a date of circa 900–925 for this sculpture.
- Provenance
- ?-at least 1972
- Probably William H. Wolff, Inc., method of acquisition unknown [1]
- From at least 1972-1987
- Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), probably purchased from William H. Wolff, Inc. [2]
- From 1987
- Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler [2]
- Notes:
- [1] See the “Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Gift Inventory,” number 72.11.13, copy in object file. This collection number suggests that Sackler acquired the object in 1972.
- Arthur M. Sackler likely purchased from William H. Wolff, Inc., see document written on William H. Wolff letterhead, “Dr. Sackler Selection” (undated), stock number 02/343, where an object is described as “White [s]andstone Khmer UMA 11th [cent.],” copy in object file.
- [2] See note 1.
- [3] Pursuant to the agreement between Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.
- Research updated October 17, 2022
- Collection
- Arthur M. Sackler Collection
- Exhibition History
- Power in Southeast Asia (October 14, 2017 to March 13, 2020)
- Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (November 19, 1992 to July 9, 2017)
- Previous custodian or owner
- William H. Wolff, Inc. (1906-1991)
- Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
- 10th century
- Period
- Angkor period
- Accession Number
- S1987.909
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Sculpture
- Medium
- Sandstone
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 124.2 x 37.5 x 24.3 cm (48 7/8 x 14 3/4 x 9 9/16 in)
- Origin
- Cambodia
- Related Online Resources
- F|S Southeast Asia
- Google Cultural Institute
- See more items in
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Topic
- stone
- Hinduism
- Uma
- Angkor period (802 - 1431)
- Cambodia
- Southeast Asian Art
- Record ID
- fsg_S1987.909
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Usage conditions apply
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye3f659e096-e00c-49fe-b15c-5a1c0c3da46c
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