Page 177 - Chinese Art Paris Auction Christie's December 2017

This superb sculpted image of a young woman
originally functioned as a bracket supporting the
ceiling of a hall in a temple as can be deducted from
both pegs at top and bottom. Once completely
coloured now just some traces of paint remains.
Well preserved she originally held a branch of the
tree with her right hand that is perched with some
monkeys trying to grab the mango fruits.
Her facial expression appears to be pensive and
remote suggesting her celestial nature. She is
however well endowed; showing opulent breasts,
wide hips and stands in a sensual pose. The
carver’s skills can be discerned in the way he
sculpted the fesh of her belly almost spilling over
the girdle. Her diaphanous sari accentuates her
legs and all emphasize her fertility qualities as
described in ancient Indian literature.
This so-called shalabhanjika pose of reaching a
fowering or fruit-bearing tree is supposed to have
these to blossom. This motif is known from ancient
Indian art stemming from the beginning of the
Christian era when she was related to the earth
goddesses. Since then this specifc motif of well-
endowed celestial women under a mango-tree
remained popular as motif on stone brackets in
temples.

175