Vietnam, Cham style, 19th century. The standing gold figure of Shiva is brilliantly executed in the Cham style, with large, almond-shaped eyes, a continuous eyebrow line, a flat, wide nose, full lips and a thick mustache. The eyes and lips are accentuated with bordering lines. The three eyes (including the Urna) are inlaid with gemstones. The two-tiered bun is richly braided, and the ears are elongated. The elbows are bent and the arms stretched out with open hands. The figure stands atop an integrated silver double lotus pedestal.
Provenance: From an important European private collection. Acquired in Asia between 1960 and 1970. A private owner, acquired from the above.
Condition: Excellent condition with little wear, such as tarnishing and smaller dents.
Weight: 1,075 g
Dimensions: Height 48.5 cm
Metallurgic analysis: The fine gold content of the gold figure (excluding the silver pedestal) is 666/1000.
Published: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, pages 224-225, Budapest 2013.
Metallurgic Analysis
The data from the metallurgic analysis posted in the catalogue entry for each lot in this auction relates to the proportion of fine gold contained in the gold alloy only. It does
not relate to the gross weight of the lot, as the gross weight typically consists of the weight of the gold alloy and the weight of other materials added to the lot such as gemstones, soil encrustations, casting cores or other metals processed within the lot.