A PAIR OF BRONZE FIGURES DEPICTING UMAMAHESVARA... Lot n° 295

A PAIR OF BRONZE FIGURES DEPICTING UMAMAHESVARA AND VISNHU WITH LAKSHMI, 17TH-18TH CENTURY India. Finely cast, Shiva seated in lalitasana on a short block supporting the small figure of Parvati on his left thigh, his right hands holding a chakra and mala beads, while his principle right arm supports Parvati. The figure is ornately adored in jewelry and with a tight fitting sanghati, his crown made of multiple tiers surmounted by a bud finial. The faces of the duo, also known as Umamahesvara, are well worn. Vishnu similarly posed on a rectangular base, resting his leg on the small figure of Garuda who kneels, hands clasped in anjali mudra. Vishnu wearing elaborate jewelry, holding in his right hands a lotus blossom and jewel, and his left hands holding a stylized conch and a chakra while supporting the figure of Lakshmi. The small figure of Lakshimi similarly robed and adored in elaborate jewelry, her hair arranged in a tight chignon. Provenance: From an old Spanish private collection, acquired in the early 1960s. Collection of Carlos Cruañas Dalmau, Barcelona, Spain, acquired from the above. Condition: Good condition with wear, predominantly from years of worship within the culture, nicks, scratches, soil encrustations, minuscule losses, and casting flaws. Fine naturally grown dark patina. Weight: 563 g and 504 g Dimensions: Height 11.4 cm and 11.5 cm Literature comparison: Compare a related bronze figure of Ganesha similarly seated on a short block, 6.7 cm high, dated 17th-18th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 26.33.2. Compare a related bronze figure of Laksmi-Narayana, 11.6 cm high, dated 16th-17th century, in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, accession number 67.816. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 25 June 2019, lot 173 Price: USD 3,570 or approx. EUR 4,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A copper alloy figure of Vishnu and Lakshmi, South India, Nayak period, circa 17th century Expert remark: Compare the related subject. Note the different style and note the size (17.2 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Paris, 15 June 2023, lot 145 Price: EUR 6,350 or approx. EUR 6,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A bronze kneeling figure of Hanuman, south India, 16th century Expert remark: Compare the similar style of composition albeit depicting Hanuman kneeling. Note the different base. Note the size (17.2 cm).