10456
Enquiry about object: 10456
Small Nepalese Horn Libation Dish
Nepal 18th century
length: 9.8cm, width: 6.6cm, depth: approximately 2.1cm, weight: 39g
Available Enquire
Provenance
UK art market
This small libation dish has been carved from horn, probably buffalo horn. It is teardrop-shaped, and the inside is carved in relief with an image of a four-armed standing Vishnu, who stands on a lotus petal dais, surrounded by a flaming aureole.
The form is based on a lotus petal when resting across the fingers.
Such a cup or dish would have been used to pour consecrated lustral water over religious images.
See two examples of 17th century Nepalese libation cups carved from rhinoceros horn that we had previously.
The example here is in fine condition and with obvious age.
References
Christie’s Amsterdam, ‘Indian, Himalayan, Southeast Asian and Indonesian Art’, April 12, 1994.
