Triade figurant Indra et ses consorts en alliage de cuivre doré Népal, XVIE siècle

Indra assis en vajrasana sur une base lotiforme, sa main gauche reposant sur son genou tenant une tige dont la fleur accueille le foudre, sa main droite en vitarka mudra, vêtu d'un fin dhoti et d'une écharpe retombant sur les bras, richement paré de bijoux, les cheveux ramassés en un chignon et ceints d'une couronne, la tête ornée d'une mandorle ajourée, les deux divinités rattachées assises en lalitasana sur un socle lotiforme, richement parées de bijoux, couronnes et mandorles ajourées, celle à sa droite tenant des tiges fleuries, celle à sa gauche avec la main droite en vitarka mudra et la gauche tenant des tiges fleuries (4)

Blue Lotus Gallery, Philadelphia, December 2010.

The figures and bases are cast separately in six parts. The gilding is worn overall. There are traces of red pigments on the back of the consorts and black pigments to the hair of the three figures. Some casting flaws are visible especially on the bases and on the back of the three figures. The figure sitting on Indra's right is detached from its base. The figure sitting on Indra's left has a warped left leg and is not properly sealed to the base. All three bases are warped.
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Indra's third eye derives from the Vedic past. In Vedic literature, Indra is said to possess one thousand eyes, symbols of his cosmic nature. Also a storm-god, Indra is frequently described as the thunderbolt wielder and this weapon is his primary attribute. An early sixteenth century date for this bronze can be suggested by a comparison with another figure of Indra dated 1589 and now in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. A very similar figure is illustrated in Pratapaditya Pal, Art of Nepal, Los Angeles, 1985, p. 119. Compare also with a similar triad, published in Ulrich Von Schroeder Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, 1981, cat. no. 104A, p. 384.