Origin: Western Himalaya region. Kashmir. Date: Early 7th c. Technique: BronzeAnd silver with dark greenish patina. Description: Sitting in full lotus position, the right hand raised to the mudra of the bestowal of fearlessnessAnd the left hand lying open on the foot. The long hair falls in thick strands to the shouldersAnd is braided on the head to formA complex hairstyle, held around the forehead byA tiara.Across the chest he wearsA yogi stringAnd is dressed withA dhotiAround the hipsAndA scarf bandAround the shoulders. The lotus pedestal is additionally supported byA pair of female Nagini demigods who have their serpentine bodies knottedAround the centre of the octagonal pedestal. Inscription in Karoshti-script on the base, yet to be deciphered. Measurement: Weight 3384g, height 27cm, width 13.5cm, depth (base) 11cm. ConditionA/B.
The earliest sculpturalArt of Kashmir, dating from the late 6th-7th c., often displays stylistic features from the preceding Gandhara period (2nd-5th c.). The powerful figure was once silver-plated in large partsAnd had inlaid eyes.
Provenance: -Private collection Singapore, since the 1970s.