NÉPAL, XVE-XVIE SIÈCLE

Surya, the sun god, and Chandra, the moon god, are both revered with storied worship in the pantheon of deities from the Kathmandu Valley. Both carry two blossoming lotus over each arm and command chariots; Surya's is drawn by seven winged horsed and the charioteer Aruna and Chandra's is steered by swans features often included in their imagery (see The British Museum,1958,1214.1 for an example of Surya and Spink & Son Ltd., The Art of Nepal & Tibet, 31 December, 1979, p. 42, no. 42 for an example of Chandra ). Although no animal is represented here, his martial status is indicated by the scallop-cuffed riding boots on his feet. This figure likely formed part of a solar deity set with its celestial counterpart, the sun or moon god, also represented.