Page 28 - 2021 March 16th Indian, Himalayan and Tibetan Art, Bonhams NYC New York

Stylistically, the tail ends of the ribbons used to fasten Avalokiteshvara’s crown
(samkhapatra), appearing above each ear, help date the sculpture to the 13th
century. Vajracharya has attributed the ‘Rubin Museum Durga’ (fig.1; C2005.16.11)
to this period because its ribbons are more prominent than in Newari sculptures
produced before the 12th century, while being also simpler than those from
the 14th century, which often display additional tassels (Vajracharya, Nepalese
Seasons, New York, 2016, pp.25, 133 & 139). The Rubin Museum’s masterpiece
also shares the present sculpture’s robust figural proportions and facial features—
particularly an equally pronounced brow ridge. Other c.13th-century bronzes
showing these features include an Uma Maheshvara in the Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston, a Vishnu in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and a Vasudhara
formerly in the Pan-Asian Collection (von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong
Kong, 1981, pp.347-50, nos.89F, 90E & 91B, respectively).

The 13th century marked the beginning of the enduring Malla dynasty, which
reigned over the Kathmandu valley until the end of the 18th century. As Ian Alsop
has summarized, “The Malla period in general was a period of overall political
stability punctuated by internecine squabbles between the various principalities of
the Nepal Valley. It was a time of considerable prosperity, nourished by the valley’s
fertility and by a lucrative trade with Tibet and India. It was also a time of great
artistic activity, and Newar artists prospered through the patronage of the devout of
the Kathmandu valley, the various noble houses there, and the wealthy lamas who
eagerly sought the renowned Newar artists.” (Alsop in van Alphen (ed.), Cast for
Eternity, Antwerp, 2005, p.124)

Provenance
Doris Weiner Gallery, Madison Avenue, New York (label on base)
Private Californian Collection

Fig.1
Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon
13th Century
Nepal
Gilt copper alloy
H 10 7/8 x W 13 1/8 x D 7 1/2 in.
Rubin Museum of Art
C2005.16.11, HAR65433
26 | BONHAMS