A RARE COPPER NEWARI EMBOSSED SHRINE

Description:

Nepal, 19th/ early 20th cent.
51 x 45 cm
The rectangular panel is showing the Great Departure scene of Gautama Siddharta, the future Buddha, from the Kapilavastu palace, visible in its right lower corner, the prince is riding his horse Kantaka and accompanied by his servant Channa, surrounded by attendants, guardians and divinities, all placed in a mountainous landscape topped with cloud motifs showing a pair of apsaras, its left upper corner with a stupa symbolizing his later Enlightment, within a broad border ornamented with scrolling tendrils studded with multi-coloured glass-beads and the top with a pair of looped rings for attachment.
Old German private collection, assembled between 1960 and 1995, old collection registration with image preserved
The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal has been considered the cultural center of the Himalayas for centuries. The Newar, the ethnic group residing there, have produced an exceptionally rich artistic tradition. Among their numerous artistic expressions, copper and bronze repoussé works occupy a prominent position. These can be found in the form of statues, reliefs, ritual vessels, and above all as shrines and shrine coverings.
Cf. For a similar shrine dated to the 19th/20th century, see Armand Neven, Etudes d'art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, no. 116, p. 154 and Pal, 'The Arts of Nepal'. 1974, no. 274 - Minor repairs to the frame with minor damage, slight signs of wear