SANCTUAIRE DE SURYA EN LAITON HIMACHAL PRADESH,... Lot n° 8

SANCTUAIRE DE SURYA EN LAITON HIMACHAL PRADESH, XIIE SIÈCLE Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4838 26.3 cm (10 3/8 in.) high Footnotes: A BRASS SHRINE OF SURYA HIMACHAL PRADESH, 12TH CENTURY 喜馬偕爾邦 十二世紀 太陽神銅像 Published: Arman Neven, Sculpture des Indes, Brussels, 1978, p. 224, no. 166. Exhibited: Sculpture des Indes, Société Générale de Banque, Brussels, 8 December 1978 - 31 January 1979. Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s This simple yet striking shrine features Surya flanked by his clerk and measurer, Pingala and Danda. The chief attributes of Surya are presented as massive, batten-like scepters. His face, crown, and the jewelry across his torso are worn almost completely smooth, and only the form of the sword across his thighs is discernible. In a comprehensive survey of sculpture from Himachal Pradesh, closely related examples are attributed to the 11th century, based on the structure of the throne (Postel et., al, Antiquities of Himachal, 1985, figs. 179 & 182). Also compare the stepped base and lotiform motif with another bronze group of Lakshminarayana from the collection of Dr. Leo S. Figiel at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art (S1992.2). For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com Very good overall condition with significant wear to the facial features, details across the torso, flower stems, boots and attendance figures. Finial at the top of the back plate bent slightly forward and ancient loss to the top of the scrolling element on the left side of the top disc, as visible in images. Scratches and wear to the whole consistent with prolonged use within the culture. Please contact Sidney Lee (sidney.lee@bonhams.com) for related condition report images.