A WOOD STRUT DEPICTING THE FOUR-ARMED BHAIRAVA ATOP A BOAR, NEPAL, 17TH-18TH CENTURY
Lot 313 - FAS1025

Finely carved, the wrathful deity stands in a dynamic cross legged pose atop a boar on a lotus plinth supported by tall plantain leaves. His principal hands hold a kapala, while the raised secondary hands display a severed head and a ghanta. He wears a tiger skin dhoti tied at the waist, a serpent necklace, and a garland of severed heads. His fierce bearded face is animated with fangs and bulging eyes, the flaming hair rising dramatically above the foliate crown centered by a flowerhead, all backed by scrolling foliage.

Provenance: From a noted European private collection.
Condition: Very good condition with wear, expected age cracks and splits, minor losses, signs of weathering, nicks, scratches. Presenting splendidly.

Weight: 2,940 g
Dimensions: Height 90 cm

Nepalese temple struts, known as tunala or vigraha, are considered fine works of art and are often made by highly skilled craftsmen using traditional techniques. They are an important part of the cultural heritage of Nepal and can be found in many different styles and designs throughout the country. These struts are found in traditional Nepalese architecture, particularly in religious structures such as temples and shrines, ornately carved and often painted, serving both structural and symbolic purposes.

Structurally, the struts help support the roof of the temple or shrine, which is made of heavy timber or stone. The struts are typically placed at regular intervals along the eaves of the roof, and their weight helps to counterbalance the weight of the roof, making the structure more stable.

Symbolically, the struts are often carved with intricate designs and figures from Nepalese mythology and are believed to have religious significance. They are thought to represent various deities or supernatural beings and are intended to offer protection and blessings to the structure and its occupants.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 31 October 2000, lot 62
Price: NLG 25,744 or approx. EUR 20,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Nepalese wood temple strut, 17^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related manner of carving and modeling with the four-armed deity similarly standing in tribhanga. Note the different figures carved to the base as well as the size (108 cm).