17th Oct, 2024 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
192
AN IMPORTANT GRAY CHLORITE HEAD OF VAIKUNTHA VISHNU, KASHMIR, 8TH TO EARLY 9TH CENTURY
Sold for €23,400
including Buyer's Premium
The central face of Vishnu naturalistically carved with a serene expression, almond-shaped eyes below gently arched brows, full bow-shaped lips, and surmounted by ringlets below a tall ornate crown. His face is flanked by two of his most dramatic and ferocious avatars, the boar Varaha and lion Narasimha.
Provenance: From a notable collector in London, United Kingdom.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, obvious losses, nicks, scratches, and a small repair to the right eye. Overall, fully consistent with the age of the sculpture.
Weight: 18.2 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 31.3 cm (incl. stand), 29 cm (excl. stand)
Mounted to a modern metal stand. (2)
This complex form of Vishnu, first referred to by the name Vaikuntha in the 7th century, is four-faced with the heads of a lion (right) and a boar (left) flanking a human head. He is also identifiable in this form by the epithet Para-Vasudeva, the ‘highest god’. The lion and boar represent Vishnu’s Varaha and Narasimha avatars. On some sculptures, the back of the halo is carved in low relief with a fourth face, a demonic, grimacing representation of Kapila, an immortal spirit who emerged from the Vedic ritual fire.
Expert’s note:
For a more detailed commentary, elaborating on the historical context and showing further comparisons, please request a PDF copy of the academic dossier for this lot from our customer support department.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Kashmir chlorite statue of Vaikuntha Vishnu, dated 875-900, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.69.13.2. Compare a closely related Kashmir chlorite statue of Vaikuntha Vishnu, dated to the last quarter of the 8th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1991.301.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 March 2012, lot 39
Price: USD 98,500 or approx. EUR 124,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An important green stone figure of Shiva and Nandi, India, Kashmir, 8th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related origin, subject, style, and manner of carving. Note the size (52 cm).
The central face of Vishnu naturalistically carved with a serene expression, almond-shaped eyes below gently arched brows, full bow-shaped lips, and surmounted by ringlets below a tall ornate crown. His face is flanked by two of his most dramatic and ferocious avatars, the boar Varaha and lion Narasimha.
Provenance: From a notable collector in London, United Kingdom.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, obvious losses, nicks, scratches, and a small repair to the right eye. Overall, fully consistent with the age of the sculpture.
Weight: 18.2 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 31.3 cm (incl. stand), 29 cm (excl. stand)
Mounted to a modern metal stand. (2)
This complex form of Vishnu, first referred to by the name Vaikuntha in the 7th century, is four-faced with the heads of a lion (right) and a boar (left) flanking a human head. He is also identifiable in this form by the epithet Para-Vasudeva, the ‘highest god’. The lion and boar represent Vishnu’s Varaha and Narasimha avatars. On some sculptures, the back of the halo is carved in low relief with a fourth face, a demonic, grimacing representation of Kapila, an immortal spirit who emerged from the Vedic ritual fire.
Expert’s note:
For a more detailed commentary, elaborating on the historical context and showing further comparisons, please request a PDF copy of the academic dossier for this lot from our customer support department.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Kashmir chlorite statue of Vaikuntha Vishnu, dated 875-900, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.69.13.2. Compare a closely related Kashmir chlorite statue of Vaikuntha Vishnu, dated to the last quarter of the 8th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1991.301.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 March 2012, lot 39
Price: USD 98,500 or approx. EUR 124,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An important green stone figure of Shiva and Nandi, India, Kashmir, 8th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related origin, subject, style, and manner of carving. Note the size (52 cm).
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