The Goddess Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon(Mahishasura Mardini). Culture: India (Bihar). Dimensions: H. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm); W. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); D. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm). Date: ca. 11th century.
Durga slays Mahisha, who emerges in his anthropomorphic form, one foot still in the neck of the decapitated buffalo and the other in the mouth of Durga's lion. Her army of followers is suggested by the small sword-wielding female warriors that bracket her feet.