.jpg?maxwidth=3840)
Lot 106
A black stone relief of Hanuman
NEPAL, CIRCA 14TH CENTURY
Closed20 March 2012
Price Realised
USD 5,000
More Information
Specialist note
This figure appears to be a Tantric Hanuman of the Vaishnava tradition. The lion and boar represent two avatars of Vishnu (Narasimha and Varaha, respectively), Garuda is Vishnu's mount, the rabbit relates to the moon, and the monkey Hanuman is the friend and attendant of Rama, another avatar of Vishnu. This identification is supported by the object, a diminutive mountain, that Hanuman holds in his upper left hand and with which he is closely identified in the Ramayana. In order to save Ram's brother, Hanuman transported the Himalayan mountain Dronagiri with its healing herbs in its entirety to the island of Lanka, thus earning Rama's unconditional friendship.