Garuda is a minor Hindu deity, originally associated with the sun, who serves as the mount of Vishnu. This brass sculpture depicts him kneeling on one leg with his palms  More »

Garuda is a minor Hindu deity, originally associated with the sun, who serves as the mount of Vishnu. This brass sculpture depicts him kneeling on one leg with his palms grasped together in adoration (anjalimudra). According to his traditional iconography, he appears in the form of a man with a hooked beak instead of a nose and large leaf-like wings. This piece is likely to have been the focus of private devotions, although larger images of Garuda were often placed in temples opposite the main shrine dedicated to Vishnu. Garuda was the enemy of snakes, also known as nagas, and this fact is referred to by the snake caught under his left knee. Dressed in a close-fitting dhoti with a sash around the waist, he also wears a strikingly tall conical headdress which was originally the support for an offerings tray that was used to present flower petals etc at important shrines.The figure is mounted on a tiered pedestal with a square base, which is inspired by European bases of the 18th and early 19th centuries, thus dating the piece. This is substantiated by the multiple casting made to form the figure and the wings, which have been attached separately. This is an impressive work in excellent condition.- (OF.011)   « Less

Origin: India Circa: 1700 AD to 1800 AD Dimensions: 4.1" (10.4cm) high x 2.4" (6.1cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Brass

Origin: India Circa: 1700 AD to 1800 AD Dimensions: 4.1" (10.4cm) high x 2.4" (6.1cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Brass   « Less

Origin: India Circa: 1700 AD to 1800 AD Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 1.9" (4.8cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Bronze

Origin: India Circa: 1700 AD to 1800 AD Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 1.9" (4.8cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Bronze   « Less

This unidentified deity is an excellent example of technological advances made in Hindu bronze-casting during the 18th century. The core of the figure is made from bronze,  More »

This unidentified deity is an excellent example of technological advances made in Hindu bronze-casting during the 18th century. The core of the figure is made from bronze, visible as the darker metal. The paler, brighter metal is copper, which was added to provide highlights in a complex process at which Indian metalworkers excelled. The rendering is very effective, with the deity sitting cross-legged on a pedestal, in turn supported by a turtle that rests atop an ornate pedestal base. The latter characteristic implies that this piece is from Southern India. The right hand is in the Gyan mudra, implying simplicity and beginning. The left hand is in abhaya mudra, designed to protect and reassure the viewer.The condition matches the quality of casting. This is an attractive and impressive piece of Indian art.- (OF.019)   « Less

This is a highly ornate and complex figure of Vishnu, in the traditional form as described in the Puranas. His four arms hold the chakra (wheel), mace, lotus and conch shell,  More »

This is a highly ornate and complex figure of Vishnu, in the traditional form as described in the Puranas. His four arms hold the chakra (wheel), mace, lotus and conch shell, all of which have significance for Vaishnavite Hindus for whom Vishnu is the supreme deity.The ornate pedestal base suggests a southern Indian origin, while the good patination and use wear suggest a date in the 18th to 19th centuries. The rendering is traditional and well-executed; as it was designed to be viewed from the front, the back is comparatively plain when compared to the supremely ornate front of the piece.This is an attractive and mature piece of Indian religious art.- (OF.021 )   « Less

Ganesh is one of the most instantly recognisable divinities of the Hindu pantheon, in possessing a well-nourished human body, multiple arms and the head of an elephant. He is  More »

Ganesh is one of the most instantly recognisable divinities of the Hindu pantheon, in possessing a well-nourished human body, multiple arms and the head of an elephant. He is celebrated as the Lord of Obstacles (and their removal) and of Beginnings. He is also the patron of arts/sciences and letters, and the deva (deity) of intellect and wisdom. His iconographic symbolism varies, although he is most often seated. He often holds a piece of his own broken tusk in one hand, having cut it off to make a pen to write down sacred Hindu knowledge. The trunk snaking to the left indicates his sniffing at a sweetmeat held in the lower left hand, which is a very traditional rendering of the figure. He also holds an axe and a goad; in the current case one hand (the lower right) is missing. This hand would have held wither his broken tusk, or would have been extended in abhaya mudra as a gesture of protection towards the viewer. The animal behind and to his right is a rat/mouse, which is his mount in the Gajanana holy books. The significance of this is debatable but may relate to literally rising above earthly desires and temptations.The ornate pedestal base, which seems to be modelled on a lotus blossom, indicates that this is probably a southern Indian form. The well-smoothed surface implies a certain age, probably the mid 18th century. This is an attractive and appealing piece of Indian bronzework.- (OF.023)   « Less

Origin: India Circa: 1850 AD to 1920 AD Dimensions: 5.60" (14.2cm) high x 8" (20.3cm) wide Collection: Asian Medium: Gilt Bronze

Origin: India Circa: 1850 AD to 1920 AD Dimensions: 5.60" (14.2cm) high x 8" (20.3cm) wide Collection: Asian Medium: Gilt Bronze   « Less

Origin: South India Circa: 15 th Century AD to 17 th Century AD Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 3.3" (8.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Style: Vijayanagara Dynasty Medium:  More »

Origin: South India Circa: 15 th Century AD to 17 th Century AD Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 3.3" (8.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Style: Vijayanagara Dynasty Medium: Steatite   « Less

The head belonged to a small group, now gathered in the Barakat collection (see LO.882 and LO.881), discovered in a sealed room in the cellar of an Anglican church in the  More »

The head belonged to a small group, now gathered in the Barakat collection (see LO.882 and LO.881), discovered in a sealed room in the cellar of an Anglican church in the city of Colombo in Ceylon, in 1998, when engineers were underpinning the foundations. The church originally belonged to the Catholic Portuguese, and was passed over to the Dutch Reformists in the first quarter of the 18th century.The style of the head would seem to place it just prior to the Dutch conquest. During the 16th and 17th centuries the practice of keeping the beard prevailed among the Roman Catholic clergy, especially amongst the foreign missionaries involved in the establishment of the Far Eastern Missions. This group of heads are stylistically affine to the early Jesuit and Franciscan iconography employed prevalently during the 17th century in India, after the foundation of the Catholic mission in Goa by St Francis Xavier, when not only the Christ but also saints, such as St Xavier and Thomas the Apostle, were often portrayed long-bearded.Furthermore, towards the end of the Catholic presence in Ceylon (ended 1658) wooden heads and large saintly figures were indeed used not only as votive images in churches, but also as didactic vehicles in the Natya Nadagam (Nativity) plays, to introduce the Christian religion to the indigenous public.The head here illustrated, differently from the other two in the group, which clearly depict the passion of Christ, might represent a saint close to the missionary cause, perhaps even St Francis Xavier, who was already canonized in 1622 and would therefore fit the description perfectly within the time frame. - (LO.883)   « Less

Marble Bust of Dante - X.0526Origin: Europe Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century ADDimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high x 11" (27.9cm) wide x 6" (15.2cm) depth Collection:  More »

Marble Bust of Dante - X.0526Origin: Europe Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century ADDimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high x 11" (27.9cm) wide x 6" (15.2cm) depth Collection: Decorative Medium: Marble Condition: Extra Fine   « Less