A SMALL BRONZE FIGURE OF VISHVAKARMAN, ANGKOR WAT STYLE, 12TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A SMALL BRONZE FIGURE OF VISHVAKARMAN, ANGKOR WAT STYLE, 12TH CENTURY This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve The Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger, entry from 2005: “No. 179, FH 1994, Khmer Angkor Wat 12th c. Vishnu” Gallery price: EUR 2,850 or approx. EUR 4,700 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing. Khmer Empire, Angkor period. Finely cast, the celestial architect depicted in characteristic kneeling posture, his right arm raised to support a staff of authority placed upon his shoulder, while his left hand rests upon his thigh, holding another attribute. The figure wears a short sampot, while the torso remains unclad. The well-modeled face, serene in expression, is distinguished by almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose, and full lips forming a composed smile, framed by elongated earlobes fitted with large earrings. The hair is carefully arranged in a conical coiffure secured by a distinctive tiara. Important Note: For essential information on the Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger and provenance documentation please visit here: www.zacke.at/rubencollection_ledger Dimensions: Height 9.3 cm Vishvakarman is first attested in ancient Indian epics and the Puranas and continues to be venerated by craftsmen in Southeast Asia and India today. In Khmer tradition, architects would invoke Vishvakarman for guidance when planning the construction of temples. The deity was introduced into the Khmer religious context no later than the twelfth century, a period that coincided with the extensive building programs initiated by Jayavarman VII. His name appears on a royal stele dated to 1191. Although originally a Hindu deity, Vishvakarman was fervently embraced by Khmer Buddhists, who produced a substantial corpus of bronze and stone sculptures in his honor, celebrating him as the divine architect. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related bronze figure of the Hindu deity Vishvakarman, first half of the 12th century, 10.8 cm high, in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, object number B60S237. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 23 March 2007, lot 46 Price: USD 4,800 or approx. EUR 6,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, manner of casting, and modeling. Note the similar size (11.5 cm).

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