Goddess Chamunda

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Chamunda is conceived as a terrifying aspect of Durga, symbolizing delusion and death. Such repoussé "masks" were intended for use in the creation of lifelike effigies of the gods; the metal face was affixed to a carrying frame and the figures were dressed in cloth. These images were for processional use, as seen in related practices in the Hindu communities of Himachal Pradesh and elsewhere, where image palanquins of this type are carried by devotees during festivals.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art