10th Apr, 2025 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
26
A BLACK STONE STELE OF SIDDHI LAKSHMI, PURNACHANDI, NEPAL, 17TH CENTURY
€1,500
€3,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
Finely and deeply carved in a dynamic stacked composition, the ten-armed deity is positioned in a low crouch, precariously balancing on the outstretched arms of Bhairava whose palms support the feet of the goddess. Bhairava is in a kneeling posture astride a corpse that is splayed across the lotus pedestal base, all set within a thickly beaded foliate arch.
Each of Siddhi Lakshmi’s five heads has a third eye and wears a crown with skull ornaments and foliate motifs. She is dressed in a bone apron and adorned in a necklace of severed heads. She holds a skull cup to her chest with her central right hand while her left hand makes the bindukapala mudra, signifying the transmission of spiritual power to the practitioner. The secondary radiating arms display her various attributes: sword, staff, bell, noose, trident, and a freshly severed head. The remaining outstretched hands are held in varada and abhaya mudra, which together reiterate her ability to overcome obstacles, wield power, and protect the faithful.
Provenance: The collection of Dr. John Ross Sr., thence by descent to his son and thence by further direct descent. Dr. John Ross Sr. was an American physician and art collector. He passed down his collection and passion for collecting to his son Dr. John Ross Jr. (1928-2019), a pioneering cardiologist whose research is widely used in diagnosing heart disorders. A part of the collection was donated to the World Cultures Art Collection of Mesa College, San Diego.
Condition: Good condition with expected wear, light scratches, light rubbing to details, small chips and minor losses to edges.
Weight: 4,836 g
Dimensions: Height 28.2 cm (excl. stand), 37 cm (incl. stand)
Bhairava is shown as subordinate to the goddess, yet also subjugating the corpse below his feet. He plays an important role in this visual narrative, as he literally supports and sustains the goddess above. Mirroring the goddess above, Bhairava stands in an aggressive stance, wears a necklace of skulls, holds a skull cup, and makes the bindukapala mudra.
The stacked composition of the image establishes a clear visual hierarchy and reinforces the power and ritual authority of the goddess. The dynamic postures, in turn, animates the form and enliven the deities, setting this relief apart from other depictions of Siddhi Lakshmi with static compositions. While classified as dangerous and bloodthirsty, Siddhi Lakshmi has a sweetly smiling face, a stylistic feature typical in Newar art.
Indic religions often emphasize the spiritual energy (shakti) of female deities, whether wrathful or benign. Goddesses came to play a vital role in establishing sacred geography and reaffirming the power of the rulers and kingdoms they protect. One of the most powerful tantric goddesses in the Kathmandu Valley is Siddhi Lakshmi, also known by her local name, Purnachandi. She is a secret form of Taleju, the tutelary goddess for the royal families of the Malla dynasty (ca. 1200–1769) and the self-chosen goddess (ishtadevata) of the king.
The veneration of Siddhi Lakshmi is part of a larger tantric system referred to as Sarvamnaya and is associated with the Secret Black Mother (Guhya Kali) tantras. She encompasses the totality of all the goddesses and their collective spiritual energy. As such, she is a manifestation of the supreme great goddess, Mahadevi. Furthermore, the association with Taleju connects Siddhi Lakshmi with the Hindu goddess Durga, one of the most popular public goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Siddhi Lakshmi is worshiped to destroy evil, repel negative forces, cultivate wisdom, and provide material and spiritual success.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related Nepalese gilt bronze group depicting the same subject, dated c. 16th-17th century, 40 cm high, in the Patan Museum, object 234.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams New York, 18 March 2013, lot 143
Price: USD 6,250 or approx. EUR 8,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A grey stone stele of Chamuda, Nepal, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of carving with similar crouched stance and size (27.3 cm). Note the openwork.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 16 March 2016, lot 748
Price: USD 22,500 or approx. EUR 29,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A grey stone stele depicting Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Mahadevi, Nepal, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and similar modeling. Note the different size (48.3 cm).
Finely and deeply carved in a dynamic stacked composition, the ten-armed deity is positioned in a low crouch, precariously balancing on the outstretched arms of Bhairava whose palms support the feet of the goddess. Bhairava is in a kneeling posture astride a corpse that is splayed across the lotus pedestal base, all set within a thickly beaded foliate arch.
Each of Siddhi Lakshmi’s five heads has a third eye and wears a crown with skull ornaments and foliate motifs. She is dressed in a bone apron and adorned in a necklace of severed heads. She holds a skull cup to her chest with her central right hand while her left hand makes the bindukapala mudra, signifying the transmission of spiritual power to the practitioner. The secondary radiating arms display her various attributes: sword, staff, bell, noose, trident, and a freshly severed head. The remaining outstretched hands are held in varada and abhaya mudra, which together reiterate her ability to overcome obstacles, wield power, and protect the faithful.
Provenance: The collection of Dr. John Ross Sr., thence by descent to his son and thence by further direct descent. Dr. John Ross Sr. was an American physician and art collector. He passed down his collection and passion for collecting to his son Dr. John Ross Jr. (1928-2019), a pioneering cardiologist whose research is widely used in diagnosing heart disorders. A part of the collection was donated to the World Cultures Art Collection of Mesa College, San Diego.
Condition: Good condition with expected wear, light scratches, light rubbing to details, small chips and minor losses to edges.
Weight: 4,836 g
Dimensions: Height 28.2 cm (excl. stand), 37 cm (incl. stand)
Bhairava is shown as subordinate to the goddess, yet also subjugating the corpse below his feet. He plays an important role in this visual narrative, as he literally supports and sustains the goddess above. Mirroring the goddess above, Bhairava stands in an aggressive stance, wears a necklace of skulls, holds a skull cup, and makes the bindukapala mudra.
The stacked composition of the image establishes a clear visual hierarchy and reinforces the power and ritual authority of the goddess. The dynamic postures, in turn, animates the form and enliven the deities, setting this relief apart from other depictions of Siddhi Lakshmi with static compositions. While classified as dangerous and bloodthirsty, Siddhi Lakshmi has a sweetly smiling face, a stylistic feature typical in Newar art.
Indic religions often emphasize the spiritual energy (shakti) of female deities, whether wrathful or benign. Goddesses came to play a vital role in establishing sacred geography and reaffirming the power of the rulers and kingdoms they protect. One of the most powerful tantric goddesses in the Kathmandu Valley is Siddhi Lakshmi, also known by her local name, Purnachandi. She is a secret form of Taleju, the tutelary goddess for the royal families of the Malla dynasty (ca. 1200–1769) and the self-chosen goddess (ishtadevata) of the king.
The veneration of Siddhi Lakshmi is part of a larger tantric system referred to as Sarvamnaya and is associated with the Secret Black Mother (Guhya Kali) tantras. She encompasses the totality of all the goddesses and their collective spiritual energy. As such, she is a manifestation of the supreme great goddess, Mahadevi. Furthermore, the association with Taleju connects Siddhi Lakshmi with the Hindu goddess Durga, one of the most popular public goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Siddhi Lakshmi is worshiped to destroy evil, repel negative forces, cultivate wisdom, and provide material and spiritual success.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related Nepalese gilt bronze group depicting the same subject, dated c. 16th-17th century, 40 cm high, in the Patan Museum, object 234.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams New York, 18 March 2013, lot 143
Price: USD 6,250 or approx. EUR 8,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A grey stone stele of Chamuda, Nepal, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of carving with similar crouched stance and size (27.3 cm). Note the openwork.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 16 March 2016, lot 748
Price: USD 22,500 or approx. EUR 29,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A grey stone stele depicting Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Mahadevi, Nepal, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and similar modeling. Note the different size (48.3 cm).
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Auction: TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism, 10th Apr, 2025
Galerie Zacke is privileged to present a remarkable two-day live auction event, featuring 684 works of art from China, Southeast Asia, India, and beyond.
The highlight is our flagship live auction on Day 1, showcasing lots 1-269, Among the many standout pieces are a ge-type octagonal bowl from the Southern Song dynasty, part of the Jules Speelman collection (lot 137), a rare 1st-2nd century gold figure of a mother goddess from the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum collection (lot 176), as well as a group of four parcel-gilt bronze Bodhisattvas from the Bao-Xiang Lo Palace and Temple, with Qianlong marks and of the period (lot 52).
Day 2 continues with our general auction (lots 270-684), offering seasoned collectors and new bidders alike an opportunity to enhance their collections. Learn more.
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