Nepal, 16^th century. Boldly carved in high relief with Garuda standing atop prostate figures of Supratik and Vibhavasu as an elephant and tortoise, respectively. His legs and arms are bent with wings stretched outward as if about to take flight. He is richly adorned in beaded jewelry and wearing an elaborate crown. His face is carved with large almond-shaped eyes and a prominent beak. Two avatars of Vishnu are hanging upside-down from the foliate canopy toward the top of the panel and another figure stands to Garuda’s left.

Provenance: From an old German private collection.
Published: Annemie De Gendt, Paul de Smet, et al, Ghurra’s: Goden Uit de Himalaya. Nepalese Volkskunst, 2004, page 142.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering, losses, natural age cracks and splits. Fine, naturally grown patina.

Weight: 5,135 g
Dimensions: Size 62 x 47 cm

Garuda is a half-bird, half-human creature that appears in both Hinduism and Buddhism. In Hinduism, Garuda is the mount of the god Vishnu. Vishnu was the main deity of the north Indian Gupta rulers, and Garuda was their dynastic symbol. This royal association was adopted by Licchavi royalty in Nepal, becoming a quintessential icon in Nepalese religious imagery. Garuda is most commonly depicted kneeling on one knee or in flight with Vishnu on his back and is only rarely depicted standing, especially in Nepal.

The story of the two brothers Vibhavasu and Supratik is told in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata. The elder one, Vibhavasu, was susceptible to anger, while the younger one, Supratik, was seeking to partition their wealth. One day both brothers were involved in a quarrel with each other. In the end, Vibhavasu then cursed Supratik, saying he will take birth as an elephant in the next life. In return, Supratik cursed his brother, saying he will be born as a tortoise. Anger and greed therefore caused them to be born as animals in their next birth and their hostility continued. One day the two were seized by Garuda, who took them in his claws to a mountain and ate them.

Literature comparison: Compare a gilt bronze figure of Garuda (20 cm high) dated to the 12^th century, in the Rijksmuseum, item number AK-MAK-1509; an ivory relief of Garuda (10 cm high) dated to the 14^th century in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number IS.124-1999; a gilt bronze figure of Garuda (ca. 13.6 cm high) dated to the 17^th century in the Rubin Museum of Art, object number C2005.16.13; and a Tibetan wood figure of Garuda (42 cm high) dated pre-17^th century in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number IM.24-1910.

罕見木雕婁迦儸與維巴華素與蘇普拉提克兄弟的故事
尼泊爾，十六世紀。高浮雕婁迦儸展翅，腳踏在大象維巴華素與烏龜蘇普拉提克兄弟身上。婁迦儸的腿和手臂彎曲，翅膀向外伸展，好像要起飛一樣。他佩戴著精美的珠飾，戴著精緻的王冠。他的臉上刻著杏仁狀的大眼睛和突出的喙。毘濕奴的兩個化身倒掛在面板頂部的葉狀樹冠上，另一個人物站在婁迦儸的左邊。

來源：德國私人老收藏。
出版：Annemie De Gendt, Paul de Smet, et al, Ghurra’s: Goden Uit de Himalaya. Nepalese Volkskunst, 2004, 頁142。
品相：狀況良好，與年齡相稱。 廣泛磨損、風化跡象、缺損、自然老化裂縫。包漿自然生長且十分細膩。

重量：5,135 克
尺寸：62 x 47 釐米