Antique Javanese Style Majapahit Simhavahini Durga Statue - 45cm/18"

Antique Javanese Style Majapahit Simhavahini Durga Statue - 45cm/18"

Measures (Height) 45cm/18"

An antique Majapahit style bronze Simhavahini Durga riding on a Lion, the mount of Parvati, Dawon.

A powerful Majapahit‑style bronze Durga, depicted in full warrior splendour riding her lion mount on a double lotus leaf pedestal. Here the goddess appears as Simhavahini Durga, the lion‑borne embodiment of divine strength and protection, rendered in dynamic Indonesian Javanese fashion. Her poised yet vigorous posture, multiple arms and richly detailed ornaments evoke the moment she rides into battle against the forces of chaos and ignorance.

Durga’s hands hold an array of weapons and attributes gifted by the gods: a trident, flame, axe, bow and arrows, and other emblematic weapons.

The trident (trisula) is closely associated with Shiva and represents the threefold powers of creation, preservation and destruction, as well as Durga’s ability to pierce and dissolve negativity at its root.

The axe speaks of cutting away attachments and obstacles, while the bow and arrows embody focused energy and righteous intent—energy directed precisely at the defeat of evil.

The flame she carries signifies transformative power, spiritual light and the burning away of illusion; in many traditions such fire is a purifying force that clears the path for renewal.

Around her torso hangs a necklace of skulls or severed heads, a stark reminder of Durga’s uncompromising role as destroyer of demons and vanquisher of ego. Rather than mere horror, this motif symbolises the cutting away of harmful tendencies and the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, showing that what is fearsome in appearance is ultimately protective in function.

Framing her head is an ornate aureole with a flaming rim, signifying her radiant, transcendent nature and marking her as a being of immense spiritual luminosity. The richly chased crown, layered necklaces and detailed belt and textiles are characteristic of Majapahit sculpture, where Durga is often shown both as beautiful and awe‑inspiring.

Durga rides side‑saddle on her lion, the vahana that expresses courage, royal authority and fearless advance into danger. The lion’s tense muscles and open jaws heighten the sense of motion and drama, while the double lotus leaf pedestal beneath them anchors the composition in symbols of purity, compassion and the joy that arises from enlightenment. The lotus, growing unstained from muddy waters, mirrors Durga’s own role: emerging from the combined energies of the gods to confront darkness and restore cosmic balance.

With its beautifully matured patina, fine casting and dense iconographic programme, this Majapahit‑style Durga is both a work of art and a visual scripture of divine protection. It is a statement piece for any collection or interior, bringing movement, strength and a vivid sense of sacred theatre—ideal for a home, office or meditation space where her presence can serve as a reminder of resilience, clarity and the ultimate victory of light over adversity.

Scholarly Reference:

Sotheby's - May 2007 - THE COLLECTION OF PAUL OTTO TAUBERT

Key Features

• Majapahit‑style bronze Simhavahini Durga, approx. 45 cm / 18" high

• Depicted in full warrior splendour, riding side‑saddle on her lion mount (Dawon)

• Multiple arms holding an array of divine weapons and attributes: trident, flame, axe, bow and arrows, and other emblematic implements

• Wears a dramatic necklace of skulls or severed heads, symbolising the destruction of demons and egoic tendencies

• Framed by an ornate aureole with flaming rim, expressing her radiant, transcendent nature

• Richly chased crown, layered necklaces, detailed belt and textiles characteristic of Javanese Majapahit court sculpture

• Lion rendered with tense muscles and open jaws, conveying courage, royal authority and fearless advance into danger

• Stands on a double lotus leaf pedestal, anchoring the composition in symbols of purity, compassion and enlightened joy

• Beautifully matured brown‑green patina that enhances relief and testifies to age and handling

• A dense iconographic “visual scripture” of divine protection, ideal as a statement piece for home, office or meditation space

FAQs – Majapahit‑Style Simhavahini Durga on Lion

1. Who is Simhavahini Durga and how does she differ from other forms of Durga?
“Simhavahini” literally means “she who rides the lion.” While Durga appears in many forms, Simhavahini emphasises her role as a warrior goddess and protector, riding confidently into battle on her lion mount. In this form she embodies uncompromising courage, royal authority and the power to confront and subdue chaos, demons and inner negativity. Compared with more maternal or local village forms of the goddess, Simhavahini Durga is fiercer and more explicitly martial, making images like this especially resonant for those seeking strength, resilience and protection.

2. What is distinctive about the Majapahit (Javanese) style in this sculpture?
Although Durga’s mythic origins are Indian, this sculpture translates her image into a Javanese Majapahit idiom. Hallmarks include the elongated, slightly angular body, the stylised treatment of the lion, the detailed yet rhythmically arranged jewellery and textiles, and the way the aureole hugs and frames the figure. Majapahit artists were known for fusing Indian iconography with local aesthetics—subtle facial expressions, ornate crowns, and layered costumes—resulting in images that are simultaneously recognisable as Hindu deities and distinctly Southeast Asian in character.

3. What do Durga’s weapons and attributes symbolise?
Each weapon in Durga’s hands represents a specific divine power entrusted to her by the gods. The trident (trisula), associated with Shiva, signifies her command over creation, preservation and destruction, and her capacity to pierce negativity at its root. The axe indicates cutting away attachments, obstacles and outdated patterns. The bow and arrowsstand for focused intent, precision and the righteous direction of energy—the ability to aim spiritual power exactly where it is needed. The flame symbolises transformative fire and spiritual light, burning away illusion and clearing the path for renewal. Together, these attributes present Durga as a complete arsenal of wisdom, clarity and protective force.

4. Why does she wear a necklace of skulls or severed heads? Isn’t that frightening?
The skull or severed‑head necklace can appear fearsome at first, but its meaning is deeply symbolic rather than simply macabre. It represents the destruction of demonic forces and the cutting off of egoic tendencies—anger, greed, pride and ignorance—that cause suffering. Each head may be read as a conquered vice or illusion. In this way, the necklace is a victory garland, proclaiming that the goddess has overcome what binds beings to suffering. For devotees and collectors, it is a reminder that true protection sometimes involves fierce compassion and radical honesty.

5. What does the flaming aureole around Durga signify?
The aureole with a flaming rim functions as a visual halo of energy and light. It signifies Durga’s radiant, transcendent nature and the intensity of her spiritual power. The flames can be understood as both protective and purifying: they hold back the forces of chaos while also burning away obscurations in the minds of those who contemplate her. In many traditions, a flaming aureole marks a being of exceptional realisation whose presence transforms the environment around them.

6. How should I interpret the lion and the lotus pedestal?
Durga’s lion (Simha) is her vahana, or sacred vehicle, embodying courage, nobility and sovereign authority. Its tense muscles and open jaws suggest fearless advance into danger—Durga does not avoid difficult situations; she rides directly into them with clarity and strength. The double lotus leaf pedestal beneath goddess and lion grounds the drama in symbols of purity, compassion and joy. Like the lotus that rises unstained from the mud, Durga emerges from the combined energies of the gods to confront darkness and restore balance, reminding us that even fierce action can be rooted in compassion and a desire for harmony.

7. Is this Durga appropriate for a home or office, or only for a temple setting?
This sculpture is perfectly suited to home, office or meditation spaces as well as more formal shrines. In a domestic or work context, Simhavahini Durga can serve as a powerful reminder of resilience, clear boundaries and the capacity to meet challenges directly. Placed in a prominent position—on a console, shelf or dedicated altar—it can symbolically “guard” the space, encourage courage in decision‑making, and inspire confidence during periods of change or difficulty.

8. How do I care for the bronze and preserve its patina?
The matured brown‑green patina is a key part of the sculpture’s character and should be preserved, not polished away. Dust the piece gently with a soft, dry cloth or brush, avoiding abrasive materials and commercial metal polishes that could strip or unevenly brighten the surface. Maintain stable indoor conditions, away from persistent dampness and harsh direct sunlight. If desired, a conservator‑approved microcrystalline wax can be applied very sparingly to protect the relief, but this is usually optional if the piece is displayed in a typical interior environment.

9. Can non‑Hindu collectors respectfully own a Durga image?
Yes. Many non‑Hindu collectors and practitioners are drawn to Durga as a universal archetype of fierce compassion, protective strength and empowered femininity. Respectful ownership means giving the sculpture a thoughtful place, not using it casually or disrespectfully, and acknowledging its sacred origins. Some people choose to light a candle or incense nearby from time to time or to reflect on Durga’s qualities when facing personal challenges—ways of honouring the tradition while integrating the piece into their own spiritual or contemplative practice.

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