A LIMESTONE FIGURE OF DURGA, NEPAL, 15TH - 17TH CENTURYThe four-armed deity seated in dhyanasana atop a lotus base, the primary left hand at the chest, the other left hand raised holding a lotus flower, adorned in beaded jewelry and bangles, the face with a serene expression and heavy-lidded eyes, flanked by elongated earlobes suspending floral earrings, the hair in a high chignon behind a floral tiara, backed by a mandorla with a beaded frame.Provenance: From an old private collection of a diplomat in Zagreb, Croatia.Condition: Good condition,mensurate with age, extensive wear, obvious losses, nicks, scratches, some fissures, signs of weathering and erosion. The stone with a fine patina and an unctuous feel overall, the surface nicely worn from centuries of wor.Weight: 5,340 gDimensions: Height 30 cm (excl. stand), 34 cm (incl. stand)Durga is a major Hindu goddess, worped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Her legend centers aroundbating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and dharma, representing the power of good over evil. She is seen as a motherly figure and often depicted as a beautiful woman with many arms riding a lion or tiger, each arm carrying a weapon and often defeating demons.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s Paris, 20 June 2017, lot 157Price: EUR 10,000 or approx.EUR 11,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A stone stele representing a female bodhisattva, Nepal, 17th-18th centuryExpert remark:pare the related pose, facial expression, and decoration. Note the much larger size (50 cm).Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 13 September 2011, lot 340Price: USD 4,000 or approx.EUR 4,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A black stone stele of Manjushri, Nepal, 15th centuryExpert remark:pare the related pose and decoration. Note the smaller size (25.4 cm).十五至十七世紀尼泊爾石灰岩難近母四臂難近母結跏趺坐端坐蓮座，左主手放在胸前，左副手舉起一朵蓮花，佩戴珠飾、手鐲和臂釧，面容安詳，雙眼微閉，長耳垂，佩戴著花卉耳環，高髻，後有連珠紋光背。