A GROUP OF TWO PAINTINGS OF KALI AND BHUVANESHVARI,... Lot n° 45

A GROUP OF TWO PAINTINGS OF KALI AND BHUVANESHVARI, NEPAL, 19TH CENTURY Mineral pigments, gold paint, and gouache on paper. Each painted in vivid colors, the first depicting Shiva as Kali, standing on a corpse over a blooming lotus, her four radiating arms holding a sword, trishula, kapala, and a severed head, the second depicting Bhuvaneshvari rising from a yantra, her four arms offering gestures (mudras) of charity and protection while holding a lasso and weapon. The verso of each pata (leaf) is inscribed in Newari with lines of mantras associated with each deity, all within foliate borders. Provenance: A private collection in France, acquired in 1982. Christie’s Paris, 11 June 2014, lot 372 (Five paintings depicting representations of Shiva and Kali), sold for EUR 6,250 or approx. EUR 7,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Collection of Carlos Cruañas Dalmau, Barcelona, Spain, acquired from the above. Collection of Carlos Cruañas Dalmau, Barcelona, Spain, acquired from the above. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Some creasing, minor flaking, light scratches, tiny stains, and minor losses to the outer edges. Dimensions: Size 43.2 x 30 cm and 29.5 x 42.7 cm Nepalese ritual paintings offer glimpses into rarely seen esoteric iconography. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related painting of a Hindu goddess, Nepal, 18th century, in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.81.206.8 Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams New York, 19 March 2019, lot 940 Estimate: USD 6,000 or approx. EUR 6,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: Two patas of Shiva and Bhuvaneshvari, Nepal, 18th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and similar technique and rendition of the subjects. Note the size (39.5 x 25.8 cm).