16th Oct, 2021 10:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION - Fine Chinese Art / 中國藝術集珍 / Buddhism & Hinduism
595
A RARE BLACK STONE STELE DEPICTING MANASA, PALA PERIOD
Sold for €17,696
including Buyer's Premium
Eastern India, 10th-12th century. The Goddess of Snakes seated in lalitasana on a lotus pedestal holding a snake in her left hand, her pendent right foot resting on her attribute, the kalasha, carved on the plinth below. A seven-headed naga rises and spreads its hood above her. Manasa is flanked by her husband, the sage Jaratkaru, depicted as an emaciated ascetic, and her son Astika, both seated on two diminutive pedestals issuing from either side of her throne.
Provenance: German private collection.
Condition: Excellent condition, fully consistent with the age of the sculpture. Extensive wear, weathering, some natural erosion and losses to exposed areas, minor nicks and scratches.
Weight: 9.9 kg (excl. base)
Dimensions: Height 49 cm (excl. base) and 57 cm (incl. base)
Mounted to a modern metal base. (2)
Manasa is a goddess of snakes, worshipped mainly in Bengal and other parts of Eastern India, chiefly for the prevention and cure of snakebite and also for fertility and prosperity. Her myths emphasize her bad temper and unhappiness, due to rejection by her father Shiva and her husband, and the hate of her stepmother, Chandi (Shiva's wife, identified with Parvati in this context). Denied full godhead by her mixed parentage, Manasa’s aim was to fully establish her authority as a goddess and to acquire steadfast human devotees. Manasa is depicted as being kind to her devotees, but harsh to people who refused to worship her.
Literature comparison: Compare a closely related black schist stele, dated to the 12th century, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1962,1113.1. Compare also a related copper alloy figure dated to the 10th century in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.83.1.2, and a ritual ewer depicting Manasa, dated to the 10th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1987.142.340.
Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related black stone stele depicting Manasa, dated to the 12th century, at Sotheby’s New York in Indian & Southeast Asian Art on 20 September 2005, lot 62, sold for USD 13,200 (ca. USD 18,050 in today’s currency).
Eastern India, 10th-12th century. The Goddess of Snakes seated in lalitasana on a lotus pedestal holding a snake in her left hand, her pendent right foot resting on her attribute, the kalasha, carved on the plinth below. A seven-headed naga rises and spreads its hood above her. Manasa is flanked by her husband, the sage Jaratkaru, depicted as an emaciated ascetic, and her son Astika, both seated on two diminutive pedestals issuing from either side of her throne.
Provenance: German private collection.
Condition: Excellent condition, fully consistent with the age of the sculpture. Extensive wear, weathering, some natural erosion and losses to exposed areas, minor nicks and scratches.
Weight: 9.9 kg (excl. base)
Dimensions: Height 49 cm (excl. base) and 57 cm (incl. base)
Mounted to a modern metal base. (2)
Manasa is a goddess of snakes, worshipped mainly in Bengal and other parts of Eastern India, chiefly for the prevention and cure of snakebite and also for fertility and prosperity. Her myths emphasize her bad temper and unhappiness, due to rejection by her father Shiva and her husband, and the hate of her stepmother, Chandi (Shiva's wife, identified with Parvati in this context). Denied full godhead by her mixed parentage, Manasa’s aim was to fully establish her authority as a goddess and to acquire steadfast human devotees. Manasa is depicted as being kind to her devotees, but harsh to people who refused to worship her.
Literature comparison: Compare a closely related black schist stele, dated to the 12th century, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1962,1113.1. Compare also a related copper alloy figure dated to the 10th century in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.83.1.2, and a ritual ewer depicting Manasa, dated to the 10th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1987.142.340.
Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related black stone stele depicting Manasa, dated to the 12th century, at Sotheby’s New York in Indian & Southeast Asian Art on 20 September 2005, lot 62, sold for USD 13,200 (ca. USD 18,050 in today’s currency).
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