The Goddess Uma

Object Details

• Description

  Uma

  Cambodia, 10th century

  Sandstone

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery S1987.909

  The Power of the Feminine

  Khmer artists depicted the goddess Uma with regal stability. Here, she stands facing fully forward, her body neither twisting nor bending. Her long skirt (sampot) creates a strong columnar base. At the same time, her bare chest, pinched waist, and broad hips emphasize her femininity and fertility. Although the artists left upper bodies bare—as was conventional in Khmer dress—look for intricate designs on the headdress and belt. These patterns are inspired by nature, including leaves and flowers.

  Over time, artists modified details of sculptural style, including bodily proportions, facial features, ornaments, and pleats in clothing. Uma’s heavy breasts and straight brow, and the skirt’s wide upper flap, suggest a date of circa 900–925 for this sculpture.

• Previous custodian or owner

  William H. Wolff, Inc. (1906-1991)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Provenance

  ?-at least 1972

  Probably William H. Wolff, Inc., method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From at least 1972-1987

  Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), probably purchased from William H. Wolff, Inc. [2]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Arthur M. Sackler [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See the “Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Gift Inventory,” number 72.11.13, copy in object file. This collection number suggests that Sackler acquired the object in 1972.

  Arthur M. Sackler likely purchased from William H. Wolff, Inc., see document written on William H. Wolff letterhead, “Dr. Sackler Selection” (undated), stock number 02/343, where an object is described as “White [s]andstone Khmer UMA 11th [cent.],” copy in object file.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] Pursuant to the agreement between Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

  Research Completed October 17, 2022

• Origin

  Cambodia

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  900s, 1000s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Wolff, William H.

• Place

  Cambodia

• Topic

  Art, Uma, Southeast Asian Art, Angkor period (802 - 1431)

• Culture

  Southeast Asians, Hindus

• Object Type

  Sculpture