Indian Folk Pilgrimage Figure of Kali

Kali, with arms up and a blaze of ornament behind her.

This folk pilgrimage figure of Kali comes from Maharashtra, India, and is dated to the 19th century or earlier. It is made in brass. Small brass images like this were commonly bought or carried as devotional keepsakes. The goddess stands on a square base before a pierced, arch-shaped halo edged with pointed forms, with several arms raised and a small figure at her side. The brass is golden, worn bright on the high points and dark in the hollows.

About four inches tall. Small, busy and rather intense, with a good deal of presence.