A LARGE BRONZE FIGURE OF PARVATI, LATE VIJAYANAGARA TO EARLY NAYAKA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY
A LARGE BRONZE FIGURE OF PARVATI, LATE VIJAYANAGARA TO EARLY NAYAKA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY
Expert's note:
XRF analysis identifies the metal as a brass containing approximately 13% zinc, 0.9% silicon, 0.7% lead, and 0.2% tin, with copper forming the balance; aluminum, iron, silver, gold, and mercury are all below the detection limit. This composition is consistent with South Indian metalworking traditions of the late Vijayanagara and early Nayak periods.
Over centuries, such copper-rich alloys can develop a particularly attractive golden-brown patina, often dominated by warm cuprite tones and occasionally interspersed with isolated malachite encrustations, as found in this statue. The mature, strikingly elegant appearance of such surfaces is the result of prolonged natural ageing.
Another characteristic feature supporting the proposed 15th–16th century dating is found on the lotus base, where the lower tips of the petals remain distinctly projecting and sculpturally pronounced. This feature largely disappears from later South Indian figures.
India. Standing in tribhanga atop a circular lotus dais, the goddess wears a richly pleated and bejeweled dhoti, her body sumptuously adorned with sacred thread and fine beaded jewelry framing her voluptuous breasts, the face modeled with almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, and full lips forming a calm smile, the forehead centered by a tilak, below the tall elaborate conical crown.
Provenance: Whisnant Galleries, New Orleans, United States. A private collection in France, acquired from the above. A prestigious private collector in France, acquired from the above.
Whisnant Galleries was founded in 1968 and developed into one of New Orleans' most extensive and distinctive antiques establishments. Its broad and eclectic inventory ranged from seventeenth-century European paintings and furniture of the Gothic period through Art Deco to estate and ethnic jewelry. The gallery was particularly noted for its substantial collection of arms and armor, including Islamic, Indo-Persian, and Indonesian examples, as well as its wide selection of African, Asian, and Oceanic works of art.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. Few small dings and nicks. Areas of surface corrosion and encrustations to the base. The bronze with a rich, naturally grown, warm patina with scattered malachite and cuprite encrustations.
Weight: 11.5 kg
Dimensions: Height 58 cm
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related bronze figure of Parvati, dated Vijayanagara period, 14th-15th century, in the British Museum, registration number 1966,0419.1. Compare a related bronze figure of Devi, 39 cm high, dated to the 16th century, in the Napier Museum, accession number 519.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 21 September 2007, lot 112
Price: USD 37,000 or approx.
EUR 52,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Parvati, South India, Vijayanagar period, 15th-16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of casting, and size (58 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 17 March 2015, lot 1093
Price: USD 106,250 or approx.
EUR 128,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper alloy figure of Parvati, South India, Nayaka period, 16th/17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting. Note the size (64.8 cm).
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Time, Location
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A LARGE BRONZE FIGURE OF PARVATI, LATE VIJAYANAGARA TO EARLY NAYAKA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY
Expert's note:
XRF analysis identifies the metal as a brass containing approximately 13% zinc, 0.9% silicon, 0.7% lead, and 0.2% tin, with copper forming the balance; aluminum, iron, silver, gold, and mercury are all below the detection limit. This composition is consistent with South Indian metalworking traditions of the late Vijayanagara and early Nayak periods.
Over centuries, such copper-rich alloys can develop a particularly attractive golden-brown patina, often dominated by warm cuprite tones and occasionally interspersed with isolated malachite encrustations, as found in this statue. The mature, strikingly elegant appearance of such surfaces is the result of prolonged natural ageing.
Another characteristic feature supporting the proposed 15th–16th century dating is found on the lotus base, where the lower tips of the petals remain distinctly projecting and sculpturally pronounced. This feature largely disappears from later South Indian figures.
India. Standing in tribhanga atop a circular lotus dais, the goddess wears a richly pleated and bejeweled dhoti, her body sumptuously adorned with sacred thread and fine beaded jewelry framing her voluptuous breasts, the face modeled with almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, and full lips forming a calm smile, the forehead centered by a tilak, below the tall elaborate conical crown.
Provenance: Whisnant Galleries, New Orleans, United States. A private collection in France, acquired from the above. A prestigious private collector in France, acquired from the above.
Whisnant Galleries was founded in 1968 and developed into one of New Orleans' most extensive and distinctive antiques establishments. Its broad and eclectic inventory ranged from seventeenth-century European paintings and furniture of the Gothic period through Art Deco to estate and ethnic jewelry. The gallery was particularly noted for its substantial collection of arms and armor, including Islamic, Indo-Persian, and Indonesian examples, as well as its wide selection of African, Asian, and Oceanic works of art.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. Few small dings and nicks. Areas of surface corrosion and encrustations to the base. The bronze with a rich, naturally grown, warm patina with scattered malachite and cuprite encrustations.
Weight: 11.5 kg
Dimensions: Height 58 cm
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related bronze figure of Parvati, dated Vijayanagara period, 14th-15th century, in the British Museum, registration number 1966,0419.1. Compare a related bronze figure of Devi, 39 cm high, dated to the 16th century, in the Napier Museum, accession number 519.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 21 September 2007, lot 112
Price: USD 37,000 or approx.
EUR 52,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Parvati, South India, Vijayanagar period, 15th-16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of casting, and size (58 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 17 March 2015, lot 1093
Price: USD 106,250 or approx.
EUR 128,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper alloy figure of Parvati, South India, Nayaka period, 16th/17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting. Note the size (64.8 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
