Antique South Indian Bronze Deity
Dancing Dakini
Apsaras Goddess
Origin: India, Circa: early 1900S'
H 17.5in.(44.5cm), W 11.5 in.(29cm), D 7.5 in.(19cm)
Condition: Solid bronze excellent!

In Hindu and Buddhist mythology Apsaras are supernatural beings that appear as young women of great beauty and grace. This Dancing Devi is first seen as a cosmic force, through which she creates, annihilates, and recreates the universe. In her gentle, radiant form, she is the gracious grantor of boons, wealth, fortune, and success.

This exquisitely rendered South Indian bronze evokes in high detail the graceful movements of the archetypal goddess. Encrusted with patches of malachite patina, her slender well-proportioned body is in movement. The skirt is of particular interest evoking a golden chain mail with a highly detailed elegant belt. The mantel around her neck is of similar intricate detail. Her breasts are sumptuous round and full and her highly wrought headdress arches above a noble countenance. Placed on a stand that suggests the subtle motif of a lotus, she evokes a present vitality. Its former owner cleaned this bronze’s malachite patina. That said there are substantial indications of age: deep nicks in the bronze and substantial build-up in the back of the headdress where the malachite patina was not cleaned. We are dating the statue at 19th to early 20th century. Substantial weighted this evocative bronze is in excellent condition.