Page 90 - Sporer Collection of Himalayan bronzes

41 Vasudhara, whose name means “stream of gems,” originated in India
A GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF VASUDHARA before the 11th century and gained popularity in the agrarian areas of the
NEPAL, 16TH CENTURY Kathmandu Valley, where she was worshiped as a goddess of fertility and
the land. This resplendent sculpture of Vasudhara embodies the gently
Seated with her right leg pendant in lalitasana supported by a single curved, languid forms of the Newari aesthetic, which is rooted in Gupta
lotus fower, her six arms radiating around her and holding her prototypes from Northeastern India. She is the Buddhist counterpart to both
attributes, and wearing a long fowing dhoti secured by a belt, further Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity, and to Saraswati,
adorned with various jewelry inset with hardstones, her face with the Hindu goddess of wisdom.
a pleasant expression and her hair pulled in a high chignon secured
with a tiara In her six arms, she holds the ratnamanjari (a sheaf of jewels), the
6ƒ in. (16 cm.) high prajnaparamita text, the dhanyamanjari (a harvest bundle), and a vase
containing amrita (the elixir of immorality). Compare with a slightly earlier
$30,000-50,000 gilt bronze fgure of Tara from a private collection (J. Casey, et al., Divine
Presence: Arts of Indian and the Himalayas, 2003, p.110. pl.30) sold in
PROVENANCE: these rooms on 17 October 2001, lot 65. Though standing, this comparable
fgure has a similarly elongated torso, with high rounded breasts centered
The Sporer Collection, New Jersey, acquired between 1962 and 1985 by a jeweled necklace, and a crown with multi-foliate tiara. The contoured,
softly voluminous face of the present work combined with her supple
PUBLISHED: and animated physique illustrates the artist’s refned understanding of
Vasudhara’s essence. She is radiant with kindness and generosity.
Himalayan Art Resource (himalayanart.org), item no. 24054

88 THE SPORER COLLECTION OF HIMALAYAN SCULPTURE