This is Mahishasuramardhini (The slayer of the demon Mahisha). Mardhini for short. By now, the regular visitors to this log site should be familiar with Mardhini, her exploits and popularity.

This Vigraha, eighteen-armed Mardhini, has its own charm. The perforated base is one of the charms. In all my decades of collecting, I have not come across such a base. I wonder why the sculptor resorted to it. Other aspects that warrant attention are the lion’s aggressive prance and the placement of the buffalo’s severed head behind the buffalo’s body. Mardhini holding the Trishul pointing upwards is not uncommon.

This folk bronze is an expression of power: spearing of Mahisha, Mardhini standing with one leg on her vahana and Mahisha emerging from the buffalo’s body with his hands in anjali mudra.

Not all attributes are readily discernible, and I will leave it to the readers to form their own views.

This Vigraha probably dates to the eighteenth century, and it is 13.5 cm tall. This folk-style Vigraha is from the Khandesh region of Maharashtra (Thanks to Ameet).