Page 108 - September 20th 2021, Indian and Himalayan Art Christie's NYC

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE MIDWEST COLLECTION
447
A LARGE BRONZE FIGURE OF SHRI DEVI 印度南部 泰米爾納德邦 毗奢耶那伽羅王朝 十五世紀
SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU, VIJAYANAGARA PERIOD, 銅吉祥天母立像
15TH CENTURY
來源:
27æ in. (70.5 cm.) high William H. Wolff，紐約，1970年6月4日。
$200,000-300,000

PROVENANCE:
William H. Wolff, New York, 4 June 1970.

The present figure can be identified as Shri Devi by the
band worn around the goddess’s breasts and can be placed
firmly in the fifteenth century, during the Vijayanagara
period. The inheritors of the previous Chola tradition,
the Vijayanagara empire incorporated many new stylistic
elements into the casting of bronze figures, including a
more emphasized tribhanga posture, elongated bodies,
cylindrical limbs, narrower waists, and with goddesses
in particular, fuller breasts and hips. Additionally, the
karandamukuta crowns and hairstyles tend to be taller,
while the jewelry and adornment became simpler compared
to early Chola pieces.
Held in a private collection since 1970, this recently
resurfaced work was discovered to be a companion piece
to a large bronze figure of Vishnu in the collection of the Art
Institute of Chicago (acc. no. 1969.699). The two figures
stand firmly upon near identical lotus bases and plinths,
wear similarly fashioned dhotis with a pattern of alternating
stippled and incised bands, and complimentary waist belts,
channviras, and crowns. Based on the shift of her weight,
the present figure would be positioned Vishnu’s proper
right side. The current whereabouts of the image of Bhu
Devi, which would have completed the trinity, is unknown.
Given their great size, the three works together would have
held a commanding presence in procession.

Four-armed god Vishnu Holding a Discus and Conch;
South India, Tamil Nadu, Vijayanagara period, 15th
century; 33 7/8 in. (85.9 cm.) high; The Art Institute of
Chicago, Robert Allerton Purchase Fund, 1969.699.