AN ELABORATE BRONZE FIGURE A HAMSA, DECCAN, 17TH-18TH CENTURY

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AN ELABORATE BRONZE FIGURE A HAMSA, DECCAN, 17TH-18TH CENTURY Hollow cast, the plump body supported on short feet and rising to an elegantly arched neck and stylized head with prominent eyes, a long beak, and a crested coiffure of swept-back feathers, the rear terminating in a dramatic fan of tail feathers articulated with deeply incised plumage and hatched details. The rounded breast and body are densely worked with scale-like feathers, while the large wings are incised with neatly ordered rows of plumage. The neck is encircled by molded bands and a draped collar-like element with a foliate pendant. Dimensions: Height 16.5 cm The hamsa is a mythical aquatic bird, often associated with a goose or a swan, which represents perfect union and balance in life. Its name is derived from the exhalation of the Sanskrit sound 'ham' and the inhalation of 'sa', together constituting the return of the life force to brahman, its cosmic source. Its image is used in Indian and Southeast Asian culture as a spiritual symbol and a decorative element. In Hindu iconography, hamsa is the vahana (vehicle) of Brahma, Gayatri, Saraswati, and Vishvakarma. Literature comparison: Compare a related brass figure of a Hamsa, Deccan, dated to the 17th century, 16 cm high, published by Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1977, and now with Peter Petrou. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams London, 23 October 2017, lot 163 Price: GBP 2,500 or approx. EUR 4,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, and resplendent plumage. Note the size (18.3 cm).

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