A LARGE AND EXCEPTIONAL GRAY SCHIST STATUE OF A DANCING SHIVA, EARLY MALLA DYNASTIES Nepal, c. 12^th-15^th century. Finely carved in openwork, depicting the deity dancing on a pedestal, above Nandi and two figures, flanked by two attendants, his upper left holding a naga, the lower left with a bowl, the right hands with a dagger and hourglass drum, adorned in elaborate jewelry, including a beaded pendant, armlet and a sash made of skulls. The face with downcast eyes, a mustache and curled beard framing the pursed lips, the head surmounted by a conical headdress centered by a skull, backed by a flaming mandorla, and flanked by two dancing figures.

Provenance: A Nepalese private collection, by repute acquired in Rajasthan, India circa 1950. A noted Spanish private collection, acquired in 1969 from the above in Katmandu, Nepal, and thence by descent in the same family to the last owner.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, encrustations and signs of weathering and erosion, all exactly as expected. Losses, nicks, scratches, structural cracks, and minor old repairs to nose and fingers.
Scientific Analysis Report: An Expert Report from Antiques Analytics - Institute of Scientific Authenticity Testing, test report number AA 22-01044, dated 5 May 2022, written and signed by Dr. R. Neunteufel, analyzing the surface alterations after examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and element analysis with attached energy-dispersed X-ray micro element analyzer (EDX), concludes that the observed surface alterations are not in contradiction with the dating above. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.

Dimensions: Size 95 x 50.5 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related black schist figure from Nepal, Uma Mahesvara, Malla dynasty, dated to the 11th century, in the collection of the Princeton University Art Museum, accession number 2002.393.


馬拉王朝初期大型灰色片岩雕舞王濕婆
尼泊爾，約十二至十五世紀。神尊在台座上翩翩起舞，正上方為護法南迪及左右侍者，左上侍者持蛇，左下手持碗，右邊侍者手持匕首和鼓。濕婆佩戴精美珠寶以及頭骨腰帶。雙眼微垂，鬍鬚捲曲，嘴唇微抿，頭上戴著一個以骷髏為中心的圓錐形帽飾，背後是火焰光背，兩側是兩個跳舞的人物。

來源：尼泊爾私人收藏，據説1950年前後購於印度拉賈斯坦邦；一個知名西班牙私人收藏在尼泊爾加德滿都購於上述收藏，在同一家族保存至最後一任藏家。
品相：狀況極佳，與年齡相稱。大面積磨損、結殼，以及風化和侵蝕的跡象。鼻子和手指有缺損、刻痕、劃痕、結構裂縫和輕微的修補。

科學檢測報告：Institute of Scientific Authenticity Testing研究所出具的專家檢測報告 AA 22-01044，2022年5月5日，由 Dr. R. Neunteufel博士簽署，通過電子顯微鏡（SEM）掃描和附加的能量分散X射線微量元素分析儀（EDX）對金屬進行分析後，得出結論，其表面變化與上述測年並不矛盾。隨附報告複印件。

尺寸：95 x 50.5 厘米

文獻比較：
比較一件相近十一世紀馬拉王朝尼泊爾黑色片岩雕濕婆像，收藏於普林斯頓大學藝術博物館，編號2002.393。