Nepal, 19th Century, Representation In Copper Alloy Of A Deva In Vitarka Mudra

Representation in copper alloy of a Deva with her hands in Vitarka Mudra
Nepal / 19th century

The goddess is represented with her legs stretched out on a base decorated with openwork lotus leaves, the bust straight, bare. The left arm parallel to the body, palm turned in the direction of the earth, the right arm bent at chest height, palm turned towards the sky, the index and the thumb of the hands meet in the gesture of argument (vitarkamudra). She is dressed in a dothi decorated with floral motifs and girded with a thin fabric falling in sections between the knees as well as a large necklace and a long Brahmanic cord taking place in the middle of a generous chest. The divinity is adorned with bracelets on the arms and wrists as well as heavy pendant earrings falling on the shoulders. The face is characterized by long almond shaped eyes with half-closed pupils surmounted by eyebrow arches meeting at the base of an aquiline nose, the forehead receiving the urna. The elaborate hairstyle consists of delicate hair strands gathered in a high ascetic bun held by a cord.

Usual wear
21.5 x 19.5 cm
Private collection