Sword Handle with Scenes of the Goddess Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon Mahishasura

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The object is a bronze sword handle. The handle is shaped like a capital letter T. It has a long, narrow neck and a flared base with two curved prongs on either side. The object is decorated with intricate carvings. The carvings depict a scene with multiple figures. A female figure, likely the goddess Durga, is shown standing on an animal. The female figure has multiple arms. She is battling a buffalo-like demon, likely Mahishasura. Other figures are shown around the goddess. The background of the image is gray, with a darker shade at the top and a lighter shade at the bottom. The object casts a shadow to the right.