A Paubha of Mahapatingkah |Nepal, Kathmandu, Kel Tole, dated by inscription to 1878 (Samvat 998)

Project Description

Description: 75.3 x 54.9 cm
Catalogue note: The white bodhisattva of one thousand heads, arms and myriad eyes astride at centre, is known in Sanskrit as Sitatapatra. Her proper-left five hundred legs on the left side suppress a host of worldly deities and animals, while her proper-right five hundred legs suppress a host of worldly plights, demons and animals. She is surrounded by retinue figures and at the bottom two lay men and three lay women kneel in propitiation. Two lines of Newari script along the bottom register provide the date of the artwork, the place of creation, and the names of the man and the four family members responsible for the dedication of this paubha for the benefit of all sentient beings. Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24506.
Provenance: Acquired from Christie’s, Sale 17347, Lot 691, Invoice no. DB19005295. Private collection, Los Angeles, by repute | Bonhams New York, 11 September 2012, lot 162
Catalogue no.: 2019A0187