Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide Collection: Asian Style: Khmer Medium: Silver

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide Collection: Asian Style: Khmer Medium: Silver   « Less

This large bronze sculpture depicts Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and rejuvenation, with his consort Parvati. Together they symbolise marital bliss and felicity. Shiva  More »

This large bronze sculpture depicts Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and rejuvenation, with his consort Parvati. Together they symbolise marital bliss and felicity. Shiva is seated in the posture of grace with Parvati balanced on his left knee. Despite the intimacy suggested by the embrace of his left hand, the gazes of the couple do not meet. It was quite common for Shiva to be depicted on a larger scale than his wife, but the relative size of Nandi is very unusual. The bull- calf dominates the composition, standing in a solid pose with his weight evenly distributed on all four legs. The wonderfully smooth surface of the bronze is used to optimum affect to capture the sinews of the bull’s body. The ornaments are deliberately understated, with a string of beads/ bells around the neck and a small patterned rug beneath the divine couple.According to Hindu mythology, Parvati loved Shiva from her youth and underwent a series of trials to prove her affection. Shiva tested her three times, by assuming different disguises, before he accepted her absolute devotion. Initially the marriage was troubled by the hostility of Parvati’s father but these difficulties were resolved by the Parvati’s reincarnation. In this representation each figure holds one of their traditional attributes; Shiva the trident and Parvati the lotus bud. Shiva’s close-fitting dhoti is incised with straight vertical lines and he wears elaborate jewellery around his ankles, upper arms and neck. The headdress has a raised frontal band that is jewel encrusted with a short conical section behind, similar to that worn by his wife. Parvati is portrayed with bare breasts, considered a mark of divinity in ancient India. This is a truly evocative masterpiece of excellent craftsmanship. (AM) - (DC.1882)   « Less

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, although she is also venerated in Buddhist monuments. Often appearing alongside Vishnu as one of his consorts she also  More »

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, although she is also venerated in Buddhist monuments. Often appearing alongside Vishnu as one of his consorts she also has an independent iconography. This polychromed stone stele depicts an event known as ‘Gajalakshmi’ (Lakshmi bathed by elephants) in Hindu tradition. Two elephants, supported on lotus flowers, consecrate the goddess with water from an upturned waterpot. This act is meant to symbolise abundance and prosperity. The elephants represent the directions and the rain clouds. Lakshmi is closely associated with the lotus flower, symbolising her purity and spiritual power. In the sculpture this is reinforced by the two lotus buds, with green stems and gold flowers, which she holds in her second set of arms. Seated in the lotus position, she carries what appear to resemble a stone and a gold ring in her lower arms. This is unusual in representations of the Gajalakshmi. It is more common for the lower-right hand to exhibit the gesture of charity and the lower-left the gesture of reassurance.The gilding and polychromy add considerable charm to this piece. The figures are set within a red frame with circular gold motifs. The elephants’ backs are adorned with gold carpets in which the details of the design are outlined in black. Although there is some damage to the polychromy it is clear that the goddess was dressed in luxurious clothing and costly jewels. This was appropriate given her association with wealth. The carving, especially that of the elephants, is particularly fine. - (AM.0163)   « Less

This polychromed marble sculpture probably represents the Hindu goddess Durga seated on a tiger. Durga was a warrior deity and is most celebrated for her defeat of the demon  More »

This polychromed marble sculpture probably represents the Hindu goddess Durga seated on a tiger. Durga was a warrior deity and is most celebrated for her defeat of the demon Mahishasura. In this representation she has four arms, each carrying a weapon, including a trident and a sword which she brandishes above her head. The goddess is elaborately clothed in gold and red and wears a tiara. The details of the leopard's skin and tongue are outlined in red and black pigment. - (AM.0164)   « Less

This elegant piece is a representation of the legendary Hindu warrior, Verabadra. As befits a warrior, he is extensively armed, with a bow, sword, dagger and various other  More »

This elegant piece is a representation of the legendary Hindu warrior, Verabadra. As befits a warrior, he is extensively armed, with a bow, sword, dagger and various other items in his four hands and thrust into his belt. His status is indicated by the extensive jewellery and adornment of his clothes. The piece has been extensively worn through usage over two centuries.The mythology surrounding Veerabhadra is complex, and celebrated by the dancers of the famed Veeragaase dance. It details how Shiva’s wife Dakshayini tried to bring together her husband and her father (Daksha), who has not approved of the match. She went to a yagna sacrificial festival held by her father – to which Shiva has not been invited – and pleaded for him, but was insulted by Daksha. She was unable to take the shame of the insults and hurled herself into the sacrificial fire. Shiva, upon hearing the news, furiously danced the Tandava dance, until a drop of his sweat fell into the fire and spawned the warrior Veerabhadra, who promptly killed Daksha. However, his life was restored when his wife pleaded mercy, although when he returned,he had the head of a goat.- (OF.024)   « Less

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the  More »

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the iconoclastic controversy in the Orthodox Church called into question whether religious images were a legitimate practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although the use of images was in the end permitted, a thorough distinction between profane art intended to depict reality and sacred art designed for spiritual contemplation was established. That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant. Certain kinds of balance and harmony became established as reflections of divinity, and as such they invited careful reproduction and subtle refinement rather than striking novelty. Although this philosophy resulted in a comparatively slow evolution of style, icon painting evolved considerably over the centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of the west that aspire towards increased realism and naturalism, the essence of Russian icon painting is not about the representation of physical space or appearance. Icons are images intended to aid in contemplative prayer, and in that sense, are more concerned with conveying meditative harmony than with laying out a realistic scene. They were not painted to please the eye of the mind, but to inspire reflection and self-examination.This icon has been segmented into four partitions, divided by a central image of the crucifixion. The scenes filling the corners are as follows clockwise starting from the upper left: the Burning Bush encircling a representation of the Virgin and child; the Mother of God of All Who Suffer; Christ Not Made By Hands; and the Mother of God Pokrov. In the central crucifixion, Christ is flanked by Mary on his left and St. John the Evangelist on his right. God the Father and the Holy Spirit represented by a dove look down from above while the bones of Adam rest at the feet of the cross. This powerful icon unites several traditional scenes all in one carefully constructed composition. - (PF.5978)   « Less

This icon depicts Saint Stephen, who was known as the protomartyr of Christianity and who is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern  More »

This icon depicts Saint Stephen, who was known as the protomartyr of Christianity and who is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox Churches. He was the first of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to minister to the material needs of the community at a time when Christians were moved to sell their properties and bring their money to the Apostles for distribution amongst the poor. Saint Stephen wears a red cloak which is the iconic symbol of Christian martyrdom. His vestments reflect those of a deacon in the early Church. A gold halo encircles his head. In iconographic manners, gold is not considered as a colour or a pigment, but is likened to light itself. Saint Stephen holds what looks like incense in his left hand which indicates his role as deacon as well asasymbol of collective prayers of the faithful offered to god.Exhibited:'Beyond Byzantium,'New York,1996.'Iconsof Russia,'Chicago, 1995. - (X.0624)   « Less

Russian Icon - GDC.011Origin: Russia Circa: 1850 AD to 1910 ADDimensions: 19.25" (48.9cm) high x 24" (61.0cm) wide Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium:  More »

Russian Icon - GDC.011Origin: Russia Circa: 1850 AD to 1910 ADDimensions: 19.25" (48.9cm) high x 24" (61.0cm) wide Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wood Condition: Very Fine   « Less

Icon - GDC.012Origin: Russia Dimensions: 26.5" (67.3cm) high x 24"(61.0cm)wide Collection:Russian Icons Style:Russian Orthodox Condition: Very Fine

Icon - GDC.012Origin: Russia Dimensions: 26.5" (67.3cm) high x 24"(61.0cm)wide Collection:Russian Icons Style:Russian Orthodox Condition: Very Fine   « Less

The Birth of Jesus Christ - GDC.013Origin: Russia Dimensions: 14" (35.6cm) high x 21" (53.3cm)wide Collection:Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Condition: Fin

The Birth of Jesus Christ - GDC.013Origin: Russia Dimensions: 14" (35.6cm) high x 21" (53.3cm)wide Collection:Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Condition: Fin   « Less