Page 103 - September 20th 2021, Indian and Himalayan Art Christie's NYC

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE WEST COAST COLLECTION
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A BRONZE FIGURE OF BHU DEVI 印度南部 泰米爾納德邦朱羅王朝 十三世紀
SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU, CHOLA PERIOD, 13TH CENTURY 銅雪山女神立像
20º in. (51.4 cm) high 來源:
$120,000-180,000 René Russek，蘇黎世。
Johannes Dutt，萊昂貝格，德國，於1975年6月4日得自上述
PROVENANCE: 藏家。
René Russek, Zurich. Johannes Dutt舊藏；紐約蘇富比，2019年3月 21日，拍品編號
Johannes Dutt, Leonberg, Germany, acquired from the above, 912。
4 June 1975.
Property from the Estate of Johannes Dutt; Sotheby's New York,
21 March 2019, lot 912.

Chola period images of Vishnu’s consorts Shri Devi and Bhu Devi
are relatively rare compared to images the Shaivite goddess Uma.
Manifestations of the goddess Lakshmi, referred to by poets as “the
Lady of the Lotus,” Shri Devi and Bhu Devi are largely distinguishable
from Uma by the lotus held in their hand. Shri Devi and Bhu Devi can
be differentiated from one another most easily by the breast band worn
by Shri Devi (see lot 448), while Bhu Devi bares her breasts.
This cast bronze figure demonstrates Bhu Devi’s sensuous femininity
through her dynamic tribhanga pose, the rosette-patterned drapery
of her garment and her delicately stylized jewelry. In contrast to the
languid forms of the early Chola period, bronzes of the late Chola, such
as the present lot, show a proclivity towards muscular and exaggerated
physiques, as well as great attention to the intricate details of jewelry,
drapery, and bodily features. Bronze figures of goddesses from this
period tend to have fleshy torsos with defined trivali tarangini, or
triple lines across the belly (a late-Chola convention), and larger, more
defined breasts.

Compare the present lot with a similarly sized thirteenth century
bronze figure of Uma sold at Christie's New York, 11 September 2019,
lot 327, for $312,500. Both works share similar proportions associated
with the late Chola period, including well-emphasized hips and
breasts, muscular physique and an increasingly graceful and balanced
tribhanga pose. The two works also share exquisitely-chased dhotis A large and important bronze figure of Uma; South India, Tamil
Nadu, Chola Period, 13th century; 25 ¼ in. (64.1 cm.) high; sold,
and delicately-stylized jewelry. Christie’s New York, 11 September 2019, lot 327, for $312,500.