Lot 365 | Very rare and important small bronze figure of a heavenly dancer

VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT SMALL BRONZE FIGURE OF A HEAVENLY DANCER.

Origin: Burma.
Dynasty: Pyu, Sri Ksetra kingdom.
Date: 5th-7th c.
Technique: Bronze with dark patina with greenish and copper red parts.
Description: The figure shows a young and slender naked man as divine dance in an elegant contrapposto
on a square base. His upper body is strongly arched and his breasts are rounded, almost
like a female's. With his raised right hand, he forms a mudra with his thumb and index
finger touching, as well as with his left hand, which he holds horizontally. His long hair
is tautly gathered upwards and tied into an elegant knot on top of his head. In spite of
the small format, the facial expression is clearly recognizable as a fine and yet
concentrated smile.
Measurement: H.9cm.


The Pyu culture were a group of city-states from the 2nd to 9th c. With the first important city Halin, in upper Myanmar, and the largest perhaps most influential centre Sri Ksetra between the 6th and 9th century at the southern edge. The two important religion were Vaishnavisim and Buddhism. The Vaishnavite tradition is known as the cult of the heroic Vasudeva, were a leading member of the Vrishni was then combined with Krishna.

Provenanz:
North German privte collection. Family owned for about 30 years.