A BRONZE FIGURE OF ARDHANARISHVARA, SOUTH INDIA, 19TH-20TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A BRONZE FIGURE OF ARDHANARISHVARA, SOUTH INDIA, 19TH-20TH CENTURY Finely cast, the composite deity Ardhanarishvara standing in an elegant tribhanga upon a waisted asymmetrical lotus pedestal, harmoniously uniting the male aspect of Shiva with the female aspect of his consort Uma-Parvati. The three-armed figure is carefully differentiated into two complementary halves, with Shiva represented on the right and Uma on the left, their contrasting physiognomy, garments, and ornaments seamlessly integrated into a single form. Shiva’s upper hand holds a trident, while the remaining hands are held in graceful gestures. The figure is richly adorned with necklaces, armlets, bracelets, anklets, and an elaborate girdle, while the lower garment falls in deeply ribbed folds along the female side. Dimensions: Height 48 cm Ardhanarishvara is a composite form of the Hindu deity Shiva joined with his consort Parvati. The figure is typically shown split vertically down the middle, embodying half-male and half-female features. This powerful icon represents the inseparability of Shiva and Shakti, illustrating the harmonious balance of masculine and feminine energies in the universe. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 17 March 2015, lot 1093 Price: USD 106,250 or approx. EUR 133,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related South Indian bronze casting, modeling of the figure, elaborate jewelry, tiered conical headdress, and treatment of the finely incised dhoti. Note that the Sotheby’s figure depicts Parvati, whereas the present figure represents Ardhanarishvara and is considerably later in date. The earlier Parvati may be regarded as a prototype for the sculptural tradition from which the present figure developed.

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