South India – Vijayanagara tradition Terracotta Shiva Nataraja in bronze - 21 cm
12
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03
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13
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Current bid
€ 1,111
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 3,200 - € 3,800
 | €1,111 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €5 | |
| €4 | |
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Bronze Shiva Nataraja from South India, Vijayanagara tradition, dating to the 15th–16th century (likely the 16th), 21 × 11.5 × 5 cm and weighing 1.420 kg, in good condition, accompanied by a detailed Mimosa study certificate; provenance private collection and acquired from Germany in 2023 via an auction house.
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Description from the seller
Important bronze figure of Shiva Nataraja – South India, Vijayanagara tradition, 15th–16th century, probably 16th century.
Beautiful and particularly dense sculpture in copper alloy representing Shiva Nataraja, the “Lord of the Dance,” one of the most emblematic expressions of South Indian Hindu iconography.
Shiva is depicted in a dynamic dancing pose, the body animated by crossed legs and the unfolding of his four arms. Under his feet appears Apasmara, the dwarf embodying ignorance vanquished by the god’s cosmic dance.
The iconography remains particularly legible. The foremost right hand is raised in abhaya mudra, gesture of protection and absence of fear, while a back hand is associated with the damaru, the small drum symbolizing the rhythm of creation.
The other attributes are partially preserved.
The sculpture is notable for the richness of its treatment: tall conical headdress finely structured, large circular earrings, stacked necklaces, bracelets, arm ornaments, and a richly detailed short garment. Behind the head remains a remarkable openwork disk with a floral decoration.
The casting is particularly heavy and compact: despite a height of only 21 cm, the sculpture weighs 1.420 kg. The arms widely detached from the body, the crossed legs, and the fully modeled figure of Apasmara give the whole piece a true sculptural presence.
The bronze shows a deep brown-black patina, nuanced by areas of wear revealing sometimes the warmer tones of the copper alloy. These variations today give great relief to the modeling and to the ornaments.
Stylistic study ties the piece to productions of South India of Vijayanagara tradition, with a proposed dating to the 15th–16th centuries, probably the 16th century. The compact silhouette, the robust construction of the body, the high architected coiffure, and the emphasis given to decoration and jewelry are characteristic of this late tradition of South Indian metal statuary.
The sculpture shows wear, small accidents and losses consistent with its material history. Several peripheral elements or attributes are incomplete, and the great prabhavali, the flamboyant halo that traditionally surrounded Shiva Nataraja, is no longer conserved. The floral disk placed behind the head, however, is still present. Despite these losses, the figure retains a very beautiful presence and an immediately recognizable iconography.
Provenance: German art market; acquired in a public sale in 2023; private Belgian collection.
A Mimosa detailed study certificate, including iconographic and stylistic study, surface analysis, condition report, provenance and comparisons, accompanies the work.
Dimensions: 21 × 11.5 × 5 cm
Weight: 1.420 kg
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wda0uv7xu9f5sxbkljjnt/ANYH7j8ltDnVF01oLJAejI4?rlkey=qplzqqkko531qr2bhsvue7pe5&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateImportant bronze figure of Shiva Nataraja – South India, Vijayanagara tradition, 15th–16th century, probably 16th century.
Beautiful and particularly dense sculpture in copper alloy representing Shiva Nataraja, the “Lord of the Dance,” one of the most emblematic expressions of South Indian Hindu iconography.
Shiva is depicted in a dynamic dancing pose, the body animated by crossed legs and the unfolding of his four arms. Under his feet appears Apasmara, the dwarf embodying ignorance vanquished by the god’s cosmic dance.
The iconography remains particularly legible. The foremost right hand is raised in abhaya mudra, gesture of protection and absence of fear, while a back hand is associated with the damaru, the small drum symbolizing the rhythm of creation.
The other attributes are partially preserved.
The sculpture is notable for the richness of its treatment: tall conical headdress finely structured, large circular earrings, stacked necklaces, bracelets, arm ornaments, and a richly detailed short garment. Behind the head remains a remarkable openwork disk with a floral decoration.
The casting is particularly heavy and compact: despite a height of only 21 cm, the sculpture weighs 1.420 kg. The arms widely detached from the body, the crossed legs, and the fully modeled figure of Apasmara give the whole piece a true sculptural presence.
The bronze shows a deep brown-black patina, nuanced by areas of wear revealing sometimes the warmer tones of the copper alloy. These variations today give great relief to the modeling and to the ornaments.
Stylistic study ties the piece to productions of South India of Vijayanagara tradition, with a proposed dating to the 15th–16th centuries, probably the 16th century. The compact silhouette, the robust construction of the body, the high architected coiffure, and the emphasis given to decoration and jewelry are characteristic of this late tradition of South Indian metal statuary.
The sculpture shows wear, small accidents and losses consistent with its material history. Several peripheral elements or attributes are incomplete, and the great prabhavali, the flamboyant halo that traditionally surrounded Shiva Nataraja, is no longer conserved. The floral disk placed behind the head, however, is still present. Despite these losses, the figure retains a very beautiful presence and an immediately recognizable iconography.
Provenance: German art market; acquired in a public sale in 2023; private Belgian collection.
A Mimosa detailed study certificate, including iconographic and stylistic study, surface analysis, condition report, provenance and comparisons, accompanies the work.
Dimensions: 21 × 11.5 × 5 cm
Weight: 1.420 kg
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wda0uv7xu9f5sxbkljjnt/ANYH7j8ltDnVF01oLJAejI4?rlkey=qplzqqkko531qr2bhsvue7pe5&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
South India – Vijayanagara tradition
Century/timeframe
XVe–XVIe siècle, probablement XVIe siècle
Name of object
Shiva Nataraja in bronze
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Auction house
Height
21 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2023
Width
11.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Europe
Depth
5 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
