Solidly cast standing in graceful tribhanga with his right hand lowered in a gesture of compassion and holding a jewel, the left holding a lotus stalk rising up to his shoulder, wearing a diaphanous dhoti incised with bands of floral and diaper patterns, armlets, earrings and foliate tiara, a sash tied across his hip, the face with a benign expression, the gilding partly rubbed revealing a rich copper tone 14 in. (35.6 cm.) high
Details
- Title : An important gilt copper figure of Padmapani
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Gilt - Copper
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Period : 9 TH/10 TH CENTURY
- Collection : Christies
- LOT : 169
- Pre-Lot Text : PROPERTY FROM A MIDWESTERN ESTATE
- Lot Essay : This figure is remarkable for its graceful proportions and fluid outline with swelling hips and chest. The designs of the dhoti are incised in a cursory way with simple geometric patterns. The oval object in his right hand may represent the fruit of knowledge or a wish-fulfilling gem. The treatment of the tiara is striking with elaborate scrollwork, originally centered by an inset hardstone. Compare with a figure of a Bodhisattva at the Norton Simon Museum, see P. Pal, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Vol. 2: Art from the Himalayas and China, 2003, cat. no. 46, p. 77.
- Price realised : USD 577,000
- Estimate : USD 250,000 - USD 350,000
- Provenance : Acquired in the 1950s
- Exhibited : On loan to the Cincinatti Art Museum, Ohio, 1982-1995