The six-armed female deity depicted seated, wearing an elaborate crown and bodhisattva jewelry inset with stones, bearing various attributes in her hands, her hair pulled up in an unusual double chingnon, a long square tang underneath the figure, later ebonized wood stand.
Details
- Title : A Nepalese gilt copper alloy figure of Vasudhara
- Year : 12th century or later
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : GILT COPPER ALLOY
- Dimension : H: 6 in. (including tang)
- Accession No : 171
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : Freeman’s Auction USA
- Status : Sold
- Estimated at : $12,000 - $15,000
- Sold for : $47,250
- Lot Details and Catalogue Note : The six-armed female deity depicted seated, wearing an elaborate crown and bodhisattva jewelry inset with stones, bearing various attributes in her hands, her hair pulled up in an unusual double chingnon, a long square tang underneath the figure, later ebonized wood stand. Vasudharha, goddess of wealth and prosperity, was particularly popular among the Newars of Nepal. For other examples, dating from the 11th to the 12th century, see Pratapaditya Pal et al, "A Collecting Odyssey, Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection", New York, 1997, p. 192 nos. 248, 249. See also the Vasudhara dated to the 11th century, illustrated in Pratapaditya Pal et al, "Himalayas, an Aesthetic Adventure", Chicago, 2003, p. 43, no. 19. It is interesting to note the similarities in modeling of a larger figure of Tara to the present example, her diadem centered with elaborate central leaf and apparently lobed coiffure, dated to the 10th century, illustrated ibid, p. 36, no. 12, which suggests the present figure might possibly be dated earlier than the 12th century.