Page 26 - Christies Indian and Himalayan Art Sept 2015

tHe Indra

Situated between India to the south and Tibet and China just
beyond the Himalayan range to the north, the Kathmandu
Valley holds a unique geographic position. Influenced by these
neighboring cultures, the Newaris, the indigenous artisans of
Nepal, developed a rich local style, particularly with regards
to metalwork. Renowned for their masterful lost wax casting
technique, Newari sculptors were some of the most sought after
artists in the Himalayan regions and China.
Indra, the Lord of the Gods, plays a central role in the legends,
life and art of Nepal. He is generally identified by three
iconographic features: a tall cylindrical crown, a horizontal eye
on the forehead and a vajra typically resting on a lotus blossom
next to his left shoulder. He is generally shown seated in
rajalilasana, the pose of “Royal Ease.” This relaxed posture, with
one arm draped gracefully over a raised knee denoting pleasure
or indulgence, is similarly reflected in Chinese Song sculptures of
Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara). Developed locally, depictions of Indra
in rajalilasana have become one of the most recognizable images
in Nepalese art history.

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