13th Nov, 2024 11:00
Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art
156
A KUSHAN MOTTLED PINK SANDSTONE RELIEF FRAGMENT, MATHURA, INDIA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY A.D.
carved in relief, probably from a railing pillar, depicting the head of a salabhanjika, holding a khadga in her right hand, leafy branches behind, her hair gathered in an elaborate five-fold bun, mounted, 21cm high
Provenance: Acquired Timeline Auctions, London, June 2014, lot 774. Offered in these rooms, 21 November 2018, lot 222.
This fragment relates to the well-known series of Kushan railing pillars from the Mathura region, examples of which can be found in several museums both in India and the West. While the majority of these celestial maidens are depicted simply stretching out or holding a mirror, examples holding a sword are more unusual. This may relate to the 'sword dance' referred to in early texts in which foreign girls would perform. See Codrington 1947, pl.54 for a salabhanjika holding up a similar sword in the National Museum, New Delhi. See also Asthana 1999, pls. 103 & 105.
carved in relief, probably from a railing pillar, depicting the head of a salabhanjika, holding a khadga in her right hand, leafy branches behind, her hair gathered in an elaborate five-fold bun, mounted, 21cm high
Provenance: Acquired Timeline Auctions, London, June 2014, lot 774. Offered in these rooms, 21 November 2018, lot 222.
This fragment relates to the well-known series of Kushan railing pillars from the Mathura region, examples of which can be found in several museums both in India and the West. While the majority of these celestial maidens are depicted simply stretching out or holding a mirror, examples holding a sword are more unusual. This may relate to the 'sword dance' referred to in early texts in which foreign girls would perform. See Codrington 1947, pl.54 for a salabhanjika holding up a similar sword in the National Museum, New Delhi. See also Asthana 1999, pls. 103 & 105.
Auction: Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art, 13th Nov, 2024
The auction includes a selection of Islamic tiles and early pottery and a wide range of bronze images and early Indian stone sculptures, paintings and textiles from India and South-East Asia. Highlights include an interesting group of early Thai bronze images of Buddha, an important Kashan ’silhouette ware’ turquoise pottery ewer, and a spectacular pair of silver bottles in the so called ‘coriander pattern’ from Lucknow. There is also an important group of Islamic manuscripts.
Contact Arthur Millner or Nicholas Shaw for enquiries
arthur.millner@olympiaauctions.com | + 44 (0) 20 7806 5541
nicholas.shaw@olympiaauctions.com | + 44 (0) 20 7806 5541
Viewing days:
10th November 2024 12:00 - 4:00pm
11th November 2024 10:00am - 8:00pm
12th November 2024 10:00am - 5:00pm
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