16th Oct, 2025 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
214
AN IMPORTANT AND PUBLISHED COPPER ALLOY SHRINE OF SHIVA, ORISSA, 11TH CENTURY
€15,000
€30,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
Published: Jeff Watt & Walter Arader, Embodying Enlightenment: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas, 2015, p. 7, no. 4.
Exhibited: McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, Embodying Enlightenment: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 11 September 2015 to 3 January 2016.
Northeastern India, 11th century. Superbly cast, Shiva is seated in lalitasana on an oval lotus base with beaded rims, raised on a stepped waisted base, the pendent foot resting on a small figure of Nandi. The right hand in varada mudra and holding a fruit, the left hand raised in abhaya mudra, the upper hands holding a cup and a lotus, dressed in a short dhoti with finely incised bands, adorned in beaded necklaces and armlets, and with a sash framing his shoulders.
The face with a serene expression, surmounted by a five-pointed crown and tall jatamukuta. The figure backed by a pierced aureole decorated with a central blossom and surmounted by a kirtimukha mask.
Provenance: Sotheby's London, 18 April 1983, lot 73. A private collection in Switzerland, acquired from the above. Christie's New York, 19 March 2014, lot 1083, sold for USD 37,500 or approx. EUR 45,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). A private collection in New York, United States, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with ancient wear, traces of worship, casting irregularities, and minor nicks.
Weight: 1.1 kg
Dimensions: Height 20.4 cm
The present figure can be identified as Shiva due to the presence of Nandi, the bull beneath his right foot. The angular and tiered seat as well as the elaborate throne backing are emblematic of Northeast Indian sculpture during the 11th century.
The small scale of the present lot highlights the portability of such devotional shrines. Comparable examples include a Green Tara attributed to Kurkihar, sold at Bonhams, Paris, on 11 June 2024, lot 24 (see the auction result comparison below). While sharing regional distinctions, the elongated form and intricate filigree ornamentation of the Orissa example contrast with the fuller proportions and compact build of the Kurkihar Tara. Additionally, the tightly arranged, narrow lotus petals here differ from the broader petals seen in Kurkihar works. Together, these features reflect key aesthetic developments of the period, with this shrine exemplifying the refined bronze artistry unique to Orissa.
Literature comparison:
Compare a figure of Uma Maheshvara, Orissa, 11th-12th century, and a related figure of Vishnu, Sri and Pushti, Orissa, 13th century, both illustrated by Nihar Ranjan Ray, Karl Khandalavala, and Sadashiv Gorakshka, Eastern Indian Bronzes, 1986, no. 273 and 274a. Both shrines share an intricate prabhavali and remarkable precision in jewelry, crown, and posture, closely related to the present lot. For such a small size, both sculptures show technical refinement and artistic sophistication, hallmarks from the region.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Paris, 11 June 2024, lot 24
Price: EUR 279,800 or approx. EUR 284,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper alloy shrine to green Tara, Northeastern India, Kurhikar, Pala period, 11th century
Expert remark: Compare the form of the throne and aureole, as well as the portability. Note the size (13 cm) and gilding.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2012, lot 740
Price: USD 33,750 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver-inlaid bronze figure of Padmapani, Northeastern India, Pala period, 11th/12th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar pose, finely detailed aureole, stepped waisted throne, and size (19.7 cm).
Published: Jeff Watt & Walter Arader, Embodying Enlightenment: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas, 2015, p. 7, no. 4.
Exhibited: McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, Embodying Enlightenment: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 11 September 2015 to 3 January 2016.
Northeastern India, 11th century. Superbly cast, Shiva is seated in lalitasana on an oval lotus base with beaded rims, raised on a stepped waisted base, the pendent foot resting on a small figure of Nandi. The right hand in varada mudra and holding a fruit, the left hand raised in abhaya mudra, the upper hands holding a cup and a lotus, dressed in a short dhoti with finely incised bands, adorned in beaded necklaces and armlets, and with a sash framing his shoulders.
The face with a serene expression, surmounted by a five-pointed crown and tall jatamukuta. The figure backed by a pierced aureole decorated with a central blossom and surmounted by a kirtimukha mask.
Provenance: Sotheby's London, 18 April 1983, lot 73. A private collection in Switzerland, acquired from the above. Christie's New York, 19 March 2014, lot 1083, sold for USD 37,500 or approx. EUR 45,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). A private collection in New York, United States, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with ancient wear, traces of worship, casting irregularities, and minor nicks.
Weight: 1.1 kg
Dimensions: Height 20.4 cm
The present figure can be identified as Shiva due to the presence of Nandi, the bull beneath his right foot. The angular and tiered seat as well as the elaborate throne backing are emblematic of Northeast Indian sculpture during the 11th century.
The small scale of the present lot highlights the portability of such devotional shrines. Comparable examples include a Green Tara attributed to Kurkihar, sold at Bonhams, Paris, on 11 June 2024, lot 24 (see the auction result comparison below). While sharing regional distinctions, the elongated form and intricate filigree ornamentation of the Orissa example contrast with the fuller proportions and compact build of the Kurkihar Tara. Additionally, the tightly arranged, narrow lotus petals here differ from the broader petals seen in Kurkihar works. Together, these features reflect key aesthetic developments of the period, with this shrine exemplifying the refined bronze artistry unique to Orissa.
Literature comparison:
Compare a figure of Uma Maheshvara, Orissa, 11th-12th century, and a related figure of Vishnu, Sri and Pushti, Orissa, 13th century, both illustrated by Nihar Ranjan Ray, Karl Khandalavala, and Sadashiv Gorakshka, Eastern Indian Bronzes, 1986, no. 273 and 274a. Both shrines share an intricate prabhavali and remarkable precision in jewelry, crown, and posture, closely related to the present lot. For such a small size, both sculptures show technical refinement and artistic sophistication, hallmarks from the region.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Paris, 11 June 2024, lot 24
Price: EUR 279,800 or approx. EUR 284,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper alloy shrine to green Tara, Northeastern India, Kurhikar, Pala period, 11th century
Expert remark: Compare the form of the throne and aureole, as well as the portability. Note the size (13 cm) and gilding.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2012, lot 740
Price: USD 33,750 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver-inlaid bronze figure of Padmapani, Northeastern India, Pala period, 11th/12th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar pose, finely detailed aureole, stepped waisted throne, and size (19.7 cm).
You can find images of this item taken under natural daylight below. Click on an image to zoom in or save. If there are no natural light images for this item, please email us at office@zacke.at or use the request form below.
If there are any existing additional images of this item, you can find them on this tab. You must be logged into your personal Zacke account to see the images. Click on an image to zoom or save.
Log in or sign up to view the natural light images.
Click here to request more information on this lot.
Zacke Live Online Bidding
Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.
To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins.
Intended Spend and Bid Limits
When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'.
Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT. For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.
Online Absentee and Telephone Bids
You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website!
Absentee Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Telephone Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form
You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page.
How-To Guides
How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online
中文版本的操作指南
创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍（免平台费）
缺席投标和电话投标
Third-Party Bidding
We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:
- 51 Bid Live
- EpaiLive
- ArtFoxLive
- Invaluable
- LiveAuctioneers
- the-saleroom
- lot-tissimo
- Drouot
Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.
Bidding in Person
You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.
Auction: TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism, 16th Oct, 2025
Galerie Zacke is honored to present a major two-day live auction event, featuring 662 works of art from China, India, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
The highlight is our flagship live auction on Day 1 (lots 1-269), showcasing masterpieces of exceptional rarity and provenance. Among them are an absolutely perfect and thus extremely rare gilt and copper-red ‘Three Beasts’ bottle vase, Kangxi period, from the collection of Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony; a highly important archaic yellow jade bi disk, on an imperially inscribed zitan stand, from the personal collection of the Qianlong Emperor (Hongli); an extraordinary sandstone figure of Lakshmi-Narayana, Chandela period, 10th–12th century, from the collection of Jeremy Knowles; as well as an exceptional 23k gold ritual helmet, Western Eurasian Steppe, possibly Hellenistic or Scythian, from the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum.
Day 2 (lots 270-662) continues with our general auction, offering seasoned collectors and new bidders alike an opportunity to enhance their collections. Learn more.
Classic Bidding Form Telephone Bidding Form
Viewing
6 - 15 October 2025
Monday - Friday, 10 am - 6 pm
as well as by appointment
Our Terms and Conditions
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our auctions fair and transparent, we encourage you to read our terms and conditions thoroughly. We urge you to read through §34-50) to ensure you understand them. These terms are specifically designed to protect all serious and committed buyers from bidding against non-payers who attempt to inflate prices without the intent of paying their auction bills.
For further reading about non-payers at auction, go here: https://www.zacke.at/aboutnonpayers/.
The main points include the following:
- Bidders must complete their due diligence and clarify all questions about the objects before the auction. After the auction, Zacke will not answer questions from bidders unless the purchase price has been paid in full. Of course, this does not apply to questions concerning shipping, insurance, customs, etc.
- A sale cancellation of any kind after the fall of the hammer is not possible. The only exception to this fundamental rule is our guarantee of authenticity [the Guarantee].
- A Guarantee Claim, however, can only be raised after the purchase price has been paid in full by the buyer and within 45 days after the auction day.
If you have any questions about our policies, please get in touch with us at office@zacke.at.
By placing a bid, you agree to our Terms of Auction and Terms and Conditions.
