Page 70 - 2021 March 16th Indian, Himalayan and Tibetan Art, Bonhams NYC New York

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A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF BHIKSHATANA With a lustrous, chocolate patina, this example from the Vijayanagara
TAMIL NADU, VIJAYANAGARA PERIOD, CIRCA 15TH CENTURY period faithfully preserves Shiva Bhikshatana’s depictions in earlier
4 3/4 in. (12 cm) high Chola sculptures, such as a bronze masterpiece in the Thanjavur
Art Gallery (Rathnasabapathy, The Divine Bronzes, Tamil Nadu,
$10,000 - 15,000 1982, no.14) and his representation in the carved stone exterior of
Arunachalesvara Temple in Tamil Nadu.
This elegant figurine depicts Shiva as the Lord of Ascetics, the
Supreme Beggar. His four arms, splayed in balance with the agile sway Provenance
of his hips convey Shiva Bhikshatana’s beauty, which tempted the Collection of Siddharth K. Bhansali, New Orleans
wives of Brahman as he wandered naked through a forest hermitage. Acquired in London between 1978-83
Cast in fine detail, sandals shield Shiva’s feet, a snake clings to his
hips, and his hair is arranged in delightful curls before the sirischakra
at the back of his head. He holds a drum, a trident, a begging bowl,
and a tuft of grass with which he feeds the little deer that once
accompanied him.

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