An illustration from the Harivamsa: Krishna, Arjuna and Pradyumna release a shower of arrows at the demon Nikumbha, attributed to the workshop of Purkhu, India, Kangra, circa 1820
Auction Closed
October 25, 04:59 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
gouache heightened with gold on paper, minute identifying inscriptions in white devanagari script above the figures, with black and white rules and red borders, the reverse with folio number, the flyleaf with folio number and Mandi library stamp
painting: 32.5 by 42.6cm.
leaf: 36.7 by 47.4cm.
Ex-private collection, Germany.
Sotheby's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 211.
Here we see the penultimate scene of the battle between Nikumbha and the warriors Krishna, Pradyumna and Arjuna.
After Nikumbha proves himself immune to the multiple charges launched against him by the trio, Krishna finally summons his invincible discus the Sudarshana Chakra and aims it at the demon. The Gods and other celestial beings gather amidst the clouds above to witness this climactic scene which ends with the beheading of Nikumbha. For other illustrations from the same series see Sotheby's New York, September 19, 2006, lots 16, 17 and 18.
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