Artwork
East Javanese volcanic rock sculpture, relief figure of Umā, early 15th century, V&A Museum, London
East Javanese volcanic rock sculpture, relief figure of Umā, early 15th century, V&A Museum, London is a photographic photography by Unknown. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This early‑15th‑century relief originates from East Java and is carved from volcanic stone.
About this work
Overview
This early‑15th‑century relief originates from East Java and is carved from volcanic stone. The work portrays a standing female figure, identified as the deity Umā, rendered in low relief and presented today as a black‑and‑white photograph in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Subject & Meaning
Umā is shown with exposed breasts and her hands joined at the waist, a pose that conveys both modesty and ritual significance. She holds an object in each hand, one resembling a lotus bud, a symbol often linked to purity and divine birth in the region’s iconography.
Technique & Style
The carving employs deep incisions and smooth contours to create a pronounced sense of volume on a flat surface. Intricate jewelry, a draped skirt, and surrounding motifs of miniature figures and foliage are all rendered in the same dark volcanic rock, reflecting the relief conventions of historic Southeast Asian temple art.
History & Provenance
The relief was produced in East Java during the early 1400s, a period of flourishing Hindu‑Buddhist artistic activity on the island. It entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection as a photographic reproduction, allowing the stone’s details to be studied without moving the original artifact.
Context
Reliefs of deities such as Umā were commonly integrated into temple façades and interior walls, serving both decorative and didactic purposes. The use of volcanic stone was typical in Javanese sculpture, valued for its durability and capacity for fine carving.
Artist & collection
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